The President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, has expressed concerns about Nigeria’s education sector and criticized the recent appointment of Professor Tahir Mamman as the Minister of Education. In an interview, Osodeke highlighted the challenges in the education system, emphasizing the lack of adequate funding as a key issue. He pointed out that Nigeria allocates significantly less to education compared to other West African countries.
Regarding the new Minister of Education, Professor Osodeke emphasized the importance of having a minister who understands the dynamics of universities, cares for the welfare of students, and has family members studying within the Nigerian education system. He criticized leaders whose children study abroad, stating that they do not have the interests of Nigerian education at heart.
Osodeke also discussed the decline in foreign lecturers in Nigerian universities and the negative impact of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) on lecturers’ salaries. He urged the government to provide more funding to universities and suggested restructuring funds from TETFund to ensure fair distribution.
The ASUU President assessed the Buhari administration’s funding of education as catastrophic, particularly highlighting the inadequate allocation of funds to universities and the overall lack of attention to education by past leaders.
Osodeke emphasized the need for competent individuals in university governing boards, criticizing the trend of appointing politicians instead of experienced academic professionals to these positions.
Lastly, he addressed the perception of rivalry among university-based unions, clarifying that ASUU does not criticize other unions and that each union should advocate for its members’ interests independently during negotiations.
In light of these concerns, Professor Osodeke urged the government to prioritize education by allocating more funds and appointing capable individuals who can contribute positively to the education sector.
