The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Chris Piwuna, has accused the Federal Government of neglecting education, saying officials do not treat the sector’s challenges as national priorities needing collective action.
Speaking on The Toyin Falola Interviews on Sunday during a virtual session titled “A Conversation with the ASUU President,” Piwuna said key government figures often see education problems as solely the Minister of Education’s responsibility, hindering sustainable reforms.
He highlighted that ASUU has frequently resorted to strikes because the government’s proposals deviate sharply from the 2009 FGN–ASUU Agreement, alongside unresolved issues such as unpaid promotion arrears, withheld deductions, and poor funding and maintenance of public universities.
“Government ministers do not see education as their problem. When ASUU strikes, the Minister of Finance sees it as the Education Minister’s issue; the Minister of Science and Technology thinks the same,” he explained. “If the Finance Minister understood that economic growth depends on a knowledgeable workforce, he would share the Education Minister’s concern.”
Piwuna added that ideological differences and corruption further obstruct the government’s response to education issues.
“We see education as a public good, but many in government treat it like a capitalist venture, important only if it generates profit,” he said. “Some now suggest TETFund should start funding private universities. Even the former Chief of Staff to the President supports this. Self-interest and inflated contracts have turned TETFund into a marketplace.”
Historian Prof. Toyin Falola reviewed ASUU’s decades-long struggles with the government and the recurrent strikes that disrupt academic calendars. Other panellists included Prof. Francis Egbokhare (University of Ibadan), economist Prof. Sherrifdeen Tella, Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero, and journalist Grace Edema.
Prof. Egbokhare cited poor leadership, decaying infrastructure, and weak accountability as major problems in Nigerian universities.
“We are failing in leadership, especially on governing councils,” he said. “We see poorly built structures where sustainable design should prevail. Leadership selection and integrity must improve. We cannot blame the system if we are part of the problem.”
He also suggested universities could raise more funds by offering research, consultancy, and training services to government ministries.
NLC President Joe Ajaero called for a comprehensive approach to the education crisis, stressing the need to improve primary and secondary education alongside university autonomy.
Economist Prof. Tella blamed Nigeria’s underdevelopment partly on the neglect of research, which underpins innovations like improved farming techniques.
On ASUU’s ongoing National Executive Council meeting in Taraba State, Piwuna said talks with the Federal Government were nearing a conclusion but dismissed current salary offers as “unacceptable.”
“Our salaries are far from sufficient. Billionaires own private universities but don’t support public ones. We’ve reached out to them before, but nothing has happened,” he said.
Piwuna revealed that lecturers are struggling to survive under poor conditions, making innovation and research nearly impossible.
“Some colleagues even sleep in their offices with family members because of inadequate housing. How can they be expected to attract endowments or conduct world-class research? We’re stuck in the 17th century, not the 18th,” he lamented.
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