The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has made a shocking announcement regarding the state of Nigerian universities.
The union claims that 84 of its members died between May and August 2024 due to economic hardship and the ongoing issue of unpaid salaries.
This grim revelation was made by ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke during an appearance on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political program aired on Channels Television.
“In the past three months, from May to August 2024, Nigerian universities lost 84 academics to death,” Osodeke stated.
He expressed deep concern over the struggles faced by university staff in Nigeria.
A Crisis in Higher Education
Osodeke emphasized that the economic challenges facing academics are severe.
“Despite this crisis, you are holding somebody’s three-and-half or more salaries on the no-work, no-pay policy, and you are owing this money,” he said.
The situation has worsened due to recent increases in the cost of living.
“You introduced fuel increases, you introduced electricity increases, and everything is gone now,” Osodeke lamented.
He called on the government to take action, stressing that the well-being of academic staff is critical to the functioning of Nigeria’s universities.
Call for Increased Funding
Osodeke further advocated for increased funding for university education in Nigeria.
He explained that adequate funding is essential to motivate lecturers and improve the overall quality of education.
“To get the sector functioning optimally, lecturers must be motivated,” he insisted.
He highlighted his own financial struggles, noting, “I earn N420,000 per month despite being a professor for 15 years.”
According to him, this salary is insufficient, especially when compared to global standards.
The Ultimatum to the Government
On September 25, 2024, ASUU issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government.
The union demanded that the government resolve several lingering issues, including the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement.
They also insisted on the release of withheld salaries due to the 2022 industrial action.
This ultimatum underscores the frustration and urgency felt by ASUU members.
The 2022 Strike and Its Consequences
The events leading up to this ultimatum are rooted in the lengthy 2022 strike by academic and non-academic unions in Nigeria.
The strike lasted for eight months, during which the unions pressed for improved welfare packages and better working conditions.
The government responded with a no work, no pay policy, withholding salaries during the period of the strike.
Although President Bola Tinubu approved the release of four months of the withheld salaries in October 2023, many lecturers feel this is inadequate.
Osodeke expressed that ASUU members must be fully paid for the entire period of the industrial action in 2022.
He criticized the Tinubu administration, stating that it has not done lecturers any favours by clearing only four months of their eight months of withheld salaries.
The Impact on University Staff
The financial strain on academic staff is evident.
Many lecturers report struggling to make ends meet due to low salaries and rising costs.
Osodeke’s comments highlight the broader issue of academic staff welfare in Nigeria.
He noted that the situation has become dire enough to impact the lives of lecturers significantly.
As a result, many are unable to perform their duties effectively.
The Government’s Responsibility
The issue of unpaid salaries and poor funding for universities has been a longstanding problem in Nigeria.
Previous governments have promised to address these issues but have often failed to deliver meaningful change.
The recent economic situation, including rising fuel and electricity prices, has only exacerbated these challenges.
Critics argue that the government must prioritize education funding to ensure that academic staff are fairly compensated for their work.
