The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Chris Piwuna, has criticised the Federal Government for failing to prioritise education, saying key officials do not regard the sector’s problems as a national concern that requires collective responsibility.
Speaking during The Toyin Falola Interviews on Sunday, in a virtual discussion titled “A Conversation with the ASUU President,” Piwuna said the indifference of government officials has stalled meaningful reforms in Nigeria’s education system.
According to him, members of the Federal Executive Council often treat education challenges as the exclusive responsibility of the Minister of Education, instead of recognising their collective impact on national development.
“Members of the government, the ministers, and chief executives do not see the problem of education as a problem that affects them. When ASUU declares a strike, the Minister of Finance sees it as the Minister of Education’s problem; the Minister of Science and Technology sees it the same way,” he said.
He argued that if government officials understood the link between a knowledgeable workforce and economic growth, they would treat education issues as a shared priority.
Piwuna added that ideological differences and corruption have worsened the sector’s challenges, accusing public officials of treating education as a profit-driven enterprise rather than a public good.
“Many of them now suggest that TETFund should begin funding private universities. Even the last Chief of Staff to the President, who never did that while in government, is now a Pro-Chancellor advocating it. Self-interest and contract inflation have replaced public service. That is why TETFund has become a marketplace,” he said.
The ASUU leader noted that the union remains committed to improving university education despite recurring disputes with the government, stressing that recent negotiations over lecturers’ welfare and salaries are nearing conclusion.
“The terms of the agreement are shaping up, and in the next week or two, we’ll make a definite statement. But what the government is offering us as salaries is unacceptable, and we are ready to go to any length to fight it,” he said.
Piwuna lamented the harsh living conditions faced by many lecturers, some of whom he said are forced to live in their offices due to economic hardship.
“Some of our colleagues sleep in their offices with their families because of poor living conditions. How can such people be expected to source endowments or drive world-class research?” he asked.
Other panellists at the event included Prof. Francis Egbokhare of the University of Ibadan, economist Prof. Sherrifdeen Tella, Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero, and historian Prof. Toyin Falola.
Prof. Egbokhare described Nigeria’s university system as one weakened by poor leadership and accountability, while Ajaero urged both ASUU and the government to adopt a holistic approach to resolving the education crisis.
Economist Prof. Tella added that Nigeria’s disregard for research has contributed to its underdevelopment, calling for renewed investment in academic research and innovation.
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