Amid a continuing crisis within universities in the Abuja zone, the 1st Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Salahu Muhammed, recently revealed alarming information at a press conference. He reported that no less than 46 academics lost their lives in several universities in the region, including the University of Abuja, Federal University of Technology Minna, Federal University Lafia, University of Nasarawa State and Ibrahim Babangida University, Lapai.
ASUU has particularly highlighted the recent death of a distinguished professor of Fisheries, Johnson Oyero, of the Federal University of Technology, Minna. The death was reportedly caused by inability to access quality medical facilities, highlighting the challenges faced by academics in Nigeria.
The crisis is exacerbated by the mass departure of many academicians in search of better prospects abroad, leaving an excessive workload on those who remain, whose level of patriotism diminishes daily due to poor remuneration and working conditions. precarious work.
Furthermore, ASUU lamented the situation related to salaries withheld by the Federal Government. Despite President Tinubu’s order to release and pay withheld salaries, some members have received only a fraction of the seven and a half months’ arrears, which has significantly undermined teacher morale and confidence in the government’s promises. government.
The 2nd Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Salahu Lawal, also drew attention to the government’s non-compliance with the exemption of federal universities from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). . Despite the approval of the Federal Executive Council in December 2023, this directive has still not been implemented, further compromising the stability of universities.
This situation highlights the urgent need for authorities and stakeholders to take appropriate measures to overcome the challenges hampering the higher education sector in Nigeria, in order to safeguard the quality of education and the well-being of scholars. .