The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on the Federal Government to substantially increase funding for public universities, saying adequate investment in education remains the only lasting solution to recurring strikes and poor global rankings.
Speaking before the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund at the National Assembly on Friday, ASUU President, Chris Piwuna, warned that without consistent and sufficient funding, the challenges confronting higher education in Nigeria would continue.
Piwuna explained that the union’s ongoing two-week warning strike stems from unresolved issues dating back to 2011. “We engaged the Federal Government for eight years without tangible results. The Yayale Ahmed Committee report, submitted in December 2024, was ignored until this industrial action began,” he said.
He reiterated that ASUU’s demands — including sustainable funding, improved conditions of service, revitalisation of universities, and academic autonomy — remain unchanged.
Urging the Senate to push for greater investment in education, Piwuna said, “Try us. Push government to fund universities adequately and you’ll see the end of strikes and the improvement of our universities in global rankings.”
The ASUU president disclosed that although the National Assembly approved ₦150 billion for universities, only ₦50 billion has so far been released. He alleged that the amount remains with the Ministry of Education, where plans are underway to share it among universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education despite separate budgetary allocations for each.
He cautioned that the ₦150 billion approved specifically for universities must be used solely for that purpose.
ASUU also raised concerns over alleged attempts by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to encroach on a portion of land belonging to the University of Abuja. “The university has over 10,000 hectares of land, and despite repeated calls, the minister continues to show interest in acquiring part of it,” Piwuna said, urging the Senate to intervene.
The union began its two-week warning strike on October 13 to press for the implementation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, payment of withheld salaries, and improved funding for public universities.
The Federal Government, however, insists that most of ASUU’s demands have been addressed and that it remains open to dialogue. It has also enforced a no-work, no-pay policy on striking lecturers.
