Alumni body fears varsities shutdown as ASUU insists on strike

The Association of Nigerian Universities Alumni has warned of an impending crisis across the nation’s universities, urging the Federal Government to act swiftly to avert another disruptive strike by university-based unions.

In a statement issued after its Special Bi-Annual Delegates Conference held from October 1–4 at Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi, the association said the government must prioritise dialogue and address long-standing issues threatening the stability of the academic calendar.

The conference, which drew delegates from 36 member associations across the six geopolitical zones, also called for an amendment to Nigerian university laws to grant statutory representation to alumni presidents on university governing councils.

ANUA National President, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, said the current situation demanded urgent attention.

“Nigeria’s academic calendar cannot afford another disruption,” Ochefu said. “We call on the Federal Government to prioritise negotiations with university-based unions and ensure lasting peace in the sector.”

The alumni body stressed that the Federal Government must engage university unions proactively and comprehensively to guarantee an uninterrupted academic calendar, which it described as “non-negotiable for national progress.”

It added that including alumni presidents on university governing councils would ensure that “alumni experience is formally integrated into university decision-making processes.”

Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities  has reaffirmed its resolve to embark on a two-week warning strike starting October 13 if the Federal Government fails to address its outstanding demands.

ASUU’s position was contained in a strike bulletin and reiterated by its National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, on Monday during an Orientation and Leadership Training at the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State.

“The warning strike has been issued, and we are not meeting to discuss it again as a union because our position has been taken,” Piwuna said. “By midnight of Monday, we will embark on a two-week warning strike, after which we will meet to decide when to begin an indefinite and comprehensive action.”

He said the decision followed the government’s failure to implement the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement and to respond meaningfully to other unresolved issues despite multiple ultimatums.

“The issues remain the same; the re-negotiation of our 2009 documents is still lingering after years of promises,” he said. “We have given government enough time. They even asked for three weeks to get back to us and never did.”

On the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Piwuna faulted the student loan policy, arguing that it was impractical in the current economic climate.

“We have told the government that we do not support loans in such a depressed economy,” he said. “Families can’t feed, unemployment is high; where do they expect repayment to come from? If they truly want to support education, they should give grants, not loans.”

He criticised reports that NELFUND had spent N14bn on personnel within a year despite having fewer than 100 staff.

“Some of these reports make us believe we are right,” he added. “A university with over 1,000 staff doesn’t spend that much in a year, including on buildings.”

ASUU National Financial Secretary,  Happiness Uduk, urged members to uphold the union’s values of integrity, transparency, and accountability.

The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Delta State, Prof. Ezekiel Agbalagba, speaking on ‘Understanding the Dynamics of ASUU and University Administration’, called for deeper collaboration among members to strengthen university governance.

Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of Niger Delta University, Prof. Allen Agih, commended ASUU for its consistency and urged that such training workshops be held more frequently.

Earlier, the ASUU NDU Branch Chairman, Lucky Bebeteidoh, thanked the national leadership for its presence and reaffirmed members’ commitment to the union’s collective struggle.