The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s 7% allocation to education in the 2025 budget, warning that it will fail to address the critical issues plaguing Nigeria’s education sector. The union, which has long battled for improved funding and better working conditions for its members, has emphasized that this budgetary allocation, equivalent to N3.52 trillion, falls significantly short of international recommendations.
Ayo Akinwole, the chairman of the ASUU University of Ibadan chapter, slammed the allocation in a statement marking the New Year, stressing that the education system in Nigeria will remain in a state of stagnation as long as the government persists with insufficient funding. According to Akinwole, both UNESCO and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) recommend that underdeveloped countries like Nigeria should allocate between 15% and 20% of their budgets to education. However, with only 7% slated for the sector in 2025, ASUU fears that the future of public education, especially at the university level, will be bleak.
“The 7% budget for education is not just inadequate; it is an insult to the future of Nigeria’s education,” Akinwole said. “We cannot hope for progress when our government continues to neglect the very foundation of the nation’s future—education.”
Akinwole further criticized the poor working conditions faced by lecturers in Nigerian public universities, noting that these conditions discourage qualified individuals from entering the academic field. According to the ASUU chairman, the situation has spread beyond universities, deeply affecting primary and secondary schools where underpaid teachers have driven qualified professionals away, leading to a rise in poorly trained educators and a proliferation of private schools, many of which remain out of reach for most Nigerians due to high tuition fees.
A Bleak 2024 for Nigerian Universities
Reflecting on the previous year, Akinwole highlighted that 2024 was a year of stagnation for the university system, with lecturers making significant sacrifices to keep the system functioning amidst numerous challenges. Despite the poor response from the Federal Government to their grievances, ASUU members have continued to uphold their commitment to education, preventing another industrial crisis from erupting.
“Had it not been for the sacrifices made by our members, the university system would have been plunged into yet another industrial crisis,” Akinwole remarked. “This is a clear indication of the Federal Government’s failure to take our concerns seriously.”
Despite some positive actions from the government, including the establishment of a committee to renegotiate the 2009 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, Akinwole has expressed skepticism over the sincerity of the Federal Government’s intentions. He pointed to previous administrations’ delay tactics, which saw similar committees set up but failed to produce any tangible outcomes. The ASUU chairman emphasized that the current government, led by President Bola Tinubu, must act decisively to review and sign the 2021 draft agreement that had already been negotiated by the Nimi Briggs-led committee.
“Instead of starting a fresh negotiation, we call on the Tinubu administration to show goodwill by immediately signing the draft agreement reached in 2021,” Akinwole urged. “This will send a clear message that the government is genuinely interested in resolving the crisis in our universities.”
The End of TETFUND?
ASUU’s concerns also extend beyond budget allocation and working conditions. The union has strongly criticized a provision in the newly proposed tax administration bill that seeks to eliminate the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) by 2030. TETFUND, which was established in 2011, has been a critical source of funding for infrastructural development in Nigerian public universities. However, according to Akinwole, the bill’s proposal to replace education tax with a “development levy” threatens the future of TETFUND and will severely limit the ability of universities to maintain and improve their facilities.
“If the Federal Government goes ahead with this policy, it will destroy one of the few sources of funding available to public universities,” Akinwole warned. “This is nothing short of an attempt to privatize education in Nigeria, turning universities into businesses rather than centers of learning.”
The tax administration bill proposes that only 50% of the revenue from the development levy will be allocated to TETFUND for the first two years, with this share gradually increasing to 66% by 2029. After this, the levy will be redirected entirely to fund the federal government’s student loan scheme, which, according to ASUU, could spell the end of TETFUND’s role in supporting university infrastructure.
“As it stands, TETFUND is the only agency dedicated to funding infrastructure in public universities,” Akinwole stated. “Taking away this lifeline will cripple the already struggling tertiary education system in Nigeria.”
A Call for Immediate Action
In light of these pressing issues, ASUU has called on President Tinubu to prioritize the welfare of workers in the education sector, including the resolution of outstanding financial matters. Akinwole reiterated that lecturers are still waiting for the payment of withheld salaries from 2024, as well as the release of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) that have been delayed for years. He also urged the Federal Government to honor previous agreements and release the necessary funds for the revitalization of universities, in line with the 2012, 2013, and 2017 agreements between ASUU and the Federal Government.
“In 2025, we expect the Federal Government to settle all outstanding financial issues, including the payment of withheld salaries and allowances,” Akinwole stated. “Failure to do so will only deepen the crisis in the education sector and further demoralize our members.”
ASUU also warned that without tangible efforts from the government to address these concerns, the union is prepared for a prolonged confrontation with the government. Akinwole concluded, “In the absence of visible and concrete efforts to resolve our issues, there will be no end to the struggles between ASUU and the Federal Government, and this will likely lead to another crisis in our universities.”
