Abuja, November 13, 2024— The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised serious concerns over the influence of international financial institutions, accusing the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of deliberately undermining Nigeria’s public university system. This accusation was made by ASUU’s National President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, during the 2024 ASUU Heroes Day celebration held in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Osodeke argued that Nigerian universities are being stifled by policies pushed by the World Bank and IMF. He stated, *“Comrades, like in the past, this year’s celebration of our heroes also takes place as we continue the struggle to rescue Nigeria’s public universities from the suffocating clutches of the World Bank and the IMF, whose determination to destroy and bury our public university system has not abated.”*
### Long-Standing Issues with Government Agreements
Prof. Osodeke also criticized the federal government for failing to honor agreements made with ASUU. He lamented that despite numerous negotiations, the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government Agreement remains unresolved.
“It is rather lamentable that we are still struggling to compel the renegotiation of our 2009 Agreement with the federal government, twelve years after it should have been concluded, and after four rounds of failed negotiations,” he said.
“It is most disheartening and egregious that despite the several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Memoranda of Action (MoAs), the ASUU-FGN 2009 Agreement is yet to be renegotiated and finalized.”
Prof. Osodeke further accused certain state governments of victimizing ASUU members for their stance in advocating for better education. He cited examples of universities such as Kogi State University, Lagos State University, Ebonyi State University, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, where lecturers have reportedly faced persecution for supporting ASUU’s cause.
The event also paid tribute to notable academics for their contributions to education and ASUU’s struggles. Those honored included Prof. T. Uzodinma Nwala, Prof. Bright Ekuerhare, Prof. Oye Oyediran, Mallam Bashir Kurfi, and others.
In recognition of the efforts of ASUU members, the union announced the introduction of PhD grants. Prof. Osodeke revealed that the union would provide grants worth ₦500,000 each to selected members from various public universities, with the recipients chosen based on a rigorous evaluation of their research proposals.
ASUU has been in a long-standing conflict with the Nigerian government over inadequate funding for universities. The union has argued that neglecting higher education undermines the nation’s future and economic growth. Despite various agreements and commitments, the government’s alleged lack of commitment to properly funding public universities remains a point of contention.
The ASUU Heroes Day celebration underscores the union’s ongoing efforts to fight for better conditions in the education sector and protect the integrity of public universities in Nigeria.
