The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern call to the President Bola Tinubu-led government, urging the immediate signing of the Nimi Briggs renegotiated draft as a crucial step towards revitalizing Nigeria’s public universities.
According to ASUU, the repositioning of Nigeria’s public universities for global recognition would remain unattainable without implementing the Nimi Briggs report.
The appeal was made during a joint news conference held in Sokoto on Saturday, June 22, convened by the ASUU chapters of Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and Sokoto State University.
Muhammad N. Mustapha and Saidu I. Abubakar, representatives of the union at the conference, highlighted several critical issues plaguing public universities in Nigeria.
The union expressed dismay over the federal government’s failure to implement the already concluded Nimi Briggs report, which addresses the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement between the government and ASUU.
Among the grievances cited were the withholding of salaries and earned academic allowances, the illegal dissolution of governing councils, and the delayed implementation of the wage award.
ASUU also raised concerns about the completion of infrastructure projects such as staff quarters at Sokoto State University, promotion arrears, underfunding of universities, and the broader socio-economic crisis affecting the country.
They stated that these issues have severely impacted the quality of education and exacerbated the security situation nationwide.
Furthermore, the union expressed disappointment that universities continue to operate under the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), despite ASUU’s longstanding rejection of the platform due to concerns over university autonomy.
ASUU accused certain elements within and outside the government of undermining the directive to remove universities from IPPIS, highlighting ongoing ambiguities in the transition process.
ASUU members also lamented the government’s failure to disburse funds allocated to address the outstanding Needs Assessment Intervention Fund and Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).
They noted that despite promises made during the 2022 struggle, no substantial funds have been released to universities, exacerbating financial hardships across the educational sector.
Despite the challenges, ASUU affirmed its unwavering commitment to its mission and pledged to collaborate with media, labour movements, student groups, and civil society organizations to advocate for the transformation and revitalization of Nigeria’s university system.
The union reiterated its call for urgent government intervention to address these pressing issues and ensure the sustainable development of the educational sector.
In conclusion, ASUU urged President Tinubu and his administration to prioritize the signing of the Nimi Briggs renegotiated draft as a demonstration of goodwill towards addressing the plight of Nigerian universities and ensuring a conducive environment for academic excellence and research.
