ASUU renews call for autonomy and improved working conditions

ASUU renews call for autonomy and improved working conditions

The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Christopher Piwuna, has reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the union’s long-standing demands for university autonomy, academic freedom, and improved working conditions for lecturers.

Piwuna, a professor of medicine and the 14th president of ASUU, made this known on Monday during a reception organised by the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike chapter of the union in honour of his predecessor, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke.

“I am committed to continuing the push for university autonomy, academic freedom, and a more conducive environment for ASUU members,” he said.

He also emphasised that while strike action remains a legitimate and global bargaining tool, it would only be used if the government fails to honour existing agreements with the union.

President Bola Tinubu, during the electioneering, promised to ensure an end to the ASUU strike in the country.

He has followed up on his promise as the administration continues to meet with ASUU leadership to resolve lingering demands.

Speaking at the reception on Monday, Piwuna said ASUU’s agitation was not peculiar to Nigeria.

“ASUU’s struggle is a collective one that concerns the lecturers, students, and the parents. Strike is a universal tool that is not peculiar to Nigeria alone. It is a tool that is used all over and cannot be taken off the table, but we hope that we don’t have to embark on any action before we can get what we want,” he said.

The Chairperson of ASUU, MOUAU branch, Comrade Chike Ugwuene, extolled Osodeke’s leadership, noting his contributions at the national level.

“He served the nation and made ASUU MOUAU proud by fighting for the betterment of the education system in Nigeria.

“There is harmony between ASUU MOUAU and the university management. The management is cooperating with us, but don’t be surprised if anything goes wrong, we will still ask for our rights and the betterment of society,” she said

Receiving Osodeke, the Vice-Chancellor of MOUAU, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof Nneoma Obasi, said the institution was proud of Osodeke’s national role.

“MOUAU stood by Osodeke throughout his sleepless nights of endless negotiations,” she said.

In his remarks, Prof Osodeke recounted the challenges faced by the union under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Labour Minister, Dr Chris Ngige.

“Ngige’s strained relationship with ASUU caused significant confusion in the country,” he said, noting that the resilience of the union was crucial in preventing the collapse of the education system.

He attributed the mass exodus of Nigerian academics to countries such as the United States, Europe, and Saudi Arabia—the so-called “Japa” wave—to the poor treatment of university lecturers.

“We faced numerous challenges during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, particularly under Chris Ngige’s leadership, which brought unnecessary turmoil during our fight to improve the education sector,” he stated.

He highlighted some of ASUU’s achievements, including the removal of universities from the IPPIS payroll platform and the defence of professors’ retirement benefits.

“Our consistent struggles have sustained public universities and prevented them from collapsing like other public institutions, such as Nigerian Airways and the country’s refineries,” he said.

Osodeke expressed concern over the state of higher education but asserted that public universities still deliver better education than their private counterparts, pointing out that “95 percent of Nigeria’s university students are enrolled in public institutions.”

The event also had in attendance the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Felix Edeh, who represented President Bola Tinubu as the university’s visitor, and former ASUU National President, Isa Nasir Fagee, who chaired the occasion.