The Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) is not known for frivolities. Whenever it speaks, Nigerians listen.
The ASUU, currently led by Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, has been silent for some time. But, on Monday July 26, 2017, it spoke through Dr. Deji Omole, the Chairman, ASUU – University of Ibadan chapter and jolted parents and students.
Omole said that 38 Nigerian universities had hiked their fees due to poor funding by federal and state governments. According to ASUU, University of Lagos (UNILAG) had hiked its tuition from N14,500 to N63,500; Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) from N27,000 to N41,000; the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) from N60,450 to N66,950, while the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) raised its from N19,700 to N57,700 and the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) from N20,100 to N65,920, among others.
State and private universities were not left out as various amounts were ascribed to them as their increases. But, both UNILAG and UNILORIN have denied the hike.
Nigerians are now worried if the door of higher education has not finally been shut against the poor, a very sad development for the nation in this technology and knowledge driven world.
There has been calls for the implementation of the NEEDS Assessment report initiated by then President Goodluck Jonathan administration. The policy entailed detailed and researched report on infrastructure deficit in the nation’s tertiary education sector, which has been ignored by the current administration, leading to financial crisis and dearth of infrastructure in universities.
Close watchers of the sector believe that ASUU’s announcement might be to draw attention of Nigerians to the crisis in the universities. But, there is the fear that the intention of ASUU may trigger more crises and violent protests in institutions across the country.
Stakeholders fear that such crises could snowball into major conflagrations and disruption of academic programmes.
Amidst government’s silence, observers wonder if ASUU got its facts right. With the harsh economy, the tension and bitterness in the land, no administration would contemplate such increase. Could ASUU, by its action, be blackmailing the government into releasing funds to universities? Only time will tell.
This piece first appeared on Daily Independent on June 29, 2017.
– http://independent.ng/ogunyemi-asuu-turning-into-a-harbinger-of-bad-news/
