The Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto chapter, has rejected the advertisement for the institution’s vice-chancellor position.
ASUU has issued a statement, signed by its branch chairman Nuruddeen Almustapha and secretary Shu’aibu Sadiku, condemning the federal government’s move to cancel the miscellaneous provisions in the university system. The union has expressed its concern that the decision undermines the principles of transparency, equity, and merit-based selection of university principal officers.
The union expressed its concern over the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) arbitrary dissolution of the university governing council and all federal university governing councils in June 2023, which it believes undermines the established procedures and autonomy of the institutions.
According to ASUU, “the unauthorized advertisement of vacancies for the offices of vice-chancellors and other principal officers in federal universities violates proper procedures. It threatens the integrity and academic freedom of Nigeria’s public universities.
“This action, the union argues, blatantly violates section III, subsections I and II of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1993.”
ASUU emphasized that university law delineates the composition, roles, and dissolution procedures of governing councils, and it does not transfer the council’s functions to the minister or the visitor.
The union called on President Bola Tunubu, the minister of education, and other critical stakeholders to reconstitute the governing councils of public universities, aligning with the provisions of the law to uphold the autonomy and independence of universities.
ASUU also urged stakeholders to investigate all violations of the law in recent actions taken by various universities in the absence of government councils, emphasizing the importance of supporting the autonomy and integrity of public universities for the betterment of the educational system and the nation’s future.
In a related development, ASUU has raised concerns about the increase in the number of Nigerian academics experiencing life-threatening illnesses and stress-related health issues due to worsening working conditions and poverty.
The union attributes the situation to unfulfilled promises from the government and the challenging economic climate in the country.
During a press conference at Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, the National President of ASUU, expressed deep concern at the end of the National Executive Council meeting of the union.
