The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a two-week ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, demanding the reinstatement of dissolved governing councils in Nigerian universities. This move comes after close to a year of universities operating without these councils since their dissolution by Mr Tinubu in June.
The dissolution, affecting all public institutions including polytechnics and colleges of education, has raised concerns about the legality of the action, as it contradicts the Universities Miscellaneous Act. ASUU, led by its president, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, a distinguished scholar in soil science, has condemned the dissolution as illegal, asserting that it has paved the way for irregularities within the Nigerian university system.
In its statement, ASUU called on Mr Tinubu to reinstate members whose tenures had not yet elapsed and to reconstitute those whose tenures had expired. While the union did not explicitly threaten a strike, it emphasized its intention to reconvene in two weeks to assess the situation and “take decisive action to address the issues.”
This ultimatum underscores ASUU’s commitment to upholding the integrity of university governance and ensuring adherence to established legal frameworks. The union’s stance reflects broader concerns within the academic community regarding the impact of governance disruptions on institutional stability and academic excellence.
As the deadline approaches, stakeholders await Mr Tinubu’s response and anticipate potential further developments in the ongoing dialogue between ASUU and the government regarding the governance of Nigerian universities.
