Follow Us on Google
From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Akure Zone, has called on the Federal Government to honour its commitments and prioritise education in Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Prof Adeola Egbedokun, the coordinator of ASUU in the zone, which comprises chapters from Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), OAU, Ekiti State University (EKSU), and Federal University of Technology (FUTA), stated that investing in education is essential for Nigeria’s future.
He stated that education should not be treated as a commodity, but as a vital tool for national development.
“ASUU National Executive Committee (NEC) observes with grave disappointment the government’s continued failure to prioritise education, treating it as a commercial commodity rather than a social investment,” Egbedokun said.
Other News
He criticised the piecemeal payment of promotion arrears, dating back to 2017 and the delayed release of deductions owed to cooperative societies. He emphasised that these do not resolve the fundamental issues facing the university system.
“With only a few days left in the agreed one-month window, the government must act with clarity, commitment, and integrity to reach a comprehensive and lasting resolution,” Egbedokun stated.
He noted that ASUU has rejected a proposed 35 per cent salary increase as inadequate, labelling it a tokenistic gesture that failed to address the core concerns of salary and working conditions. He asserted that while some progress may have been made in non-monetary areas, the key issues require decisive action.
“Education, as the bedrock of national progress, deserves special attention and strategic investment—especially in a country like Nigeria, where educational infrastructure and personnel welfare have suffered years of neglect,” he added.
