By Ayomide Otitoju
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the Federal Government to increase funding for public universities, stressing that sustainable investment in education remains the only way to end recurring strikes and improve Nigeria’s global university rankings.
ASUU made the appeal on Friday when it appeared before the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund at the National Assembly.
Speaking on behalf of the union, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, said the ongoing two-week warning strike stems from unresolved issues dating back to 2011.
“We engaged the Federal Government for eight years without tangible results,” Piwuna said. “The Yayale Ahmed Committee report, submitted in December 2024, was ignored until this industrial action began.”
He reiterated that ASUU’s key demands — including sustainable funding, better conditions of service, revitalisation of public universities, and protection of academic autonomy — remain unchanged.
The ASUU president also urged the Senate to compel the government to adequately fund the education sector. “Try us. Push government to fund universities adequately, and you’ll see the end of strikes and improvement of our universities in global rankings,” he told lawmakers.
Piwuna revealed that out of ₦150 billion approved by the National Assembly for universities, only ₦50 billion had been released, which he claimed was still being withheld by the Ministry of Education. He alleged that the ministry intended to distribute the funds among universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, contrary to the approved allocation.
He warned that the ₦150 billion earmarked for universities must be used strictly for its intended purpose.
Meanwhile, ASUU raised alarm over an alleged attempt by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to encroach on land belonging to the University of Abuja.
“We are worried because the University of Abuja is located in the FCT. Anyone serious about higher education should focus on developing it,” Piwuna said. “If the minister wants land, he should look elsewhere. The university has over 10,000 hectares of land, and we appeal to the Senate to intervene and prevail on the minister to leave it alone.”
ASUU had declared a two-week warning strike on October 13 to press for the implementation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, release of withheld salaries, and adequate funding for university revitalisation.
The Federal Government, however, maintains that it has addressed the union’s demands and remains open to dialogue. It has also enforced the “no work, no pay” policy on lecturers participating in the strike.
