The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised fresh concerns about the state of Nigeria’s education sector, warning of a looming crisis if the Federal Government continues to delay salaries and neglect agreements previously reached with the union. The warning comes amid rising tensions within the university system, with lecturers expressing frustration over unpaid entitlements and the government’s failure to fully implement critical aspects of past agreements.
In a statement issued by ASUU’s National President, the union noted that its members have endured months of financial hardship due to salary arrears, inconsistent payment systems, and inadequate funding for universities. The union argued that despite repeated engagements and promises by the Federal Government, concrete actions to address these challenges remain largely absent.
According to ASUU, the persistent delay in paying lecturers’ salaries not only undermines the morale of university staff but also threatens the stability of Nigeria’s tertiary education system. The union added that the poor working conditions of lecturers, coupled with inadequate infrastructure and lack of research funding, are gradually crippling the nation’s universities.
“The patience of our members is running out. We have endured untold hardship, yet the government continues to treat education as an afterthought. If urgent steps are not taken to address these issues, the country should be prepared for another round of industrial action,” the statement read.
ASUU also criticized the government’s adoption of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), describing it as unsuitable for the peculiarities of academic institutions. The union reiterated its call for the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), a homegrown payment system it developed to better cater to university staff needs.
Nigerians have taken to social media to express mixed reactions, with many sympathizing with lecturers and calling on the government to prioritize education. Others, however, urged ASUU to seek alternative ways of pressing home their demands without recurring strikes that often disrupt students’ academic calendars.
Observers warn that unless swift action is taken, Nigeria may soon witness yet another wave of university strikes, a scenario that could further worsen the academic backlog already stretched by past industrial actions and the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the standoff continues, all eyes remain on the Federal Government to see whether it will move quickly to avert another full-scale crisis in Nigeria’s university system — a crisis that has, over the years, stifled the dreams of countless students and diminished the global competitiveness of Nigerian universities.
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