Education
Stop playing politics with us over funding of Universities, ASUU warns FG
calls for immediate release of revitalization fund, AEA, others
wants Tinubu to order AG to release approved funds
Due to the Federal government’s persistent failure to honor agreements over the release of the University revitalization fund, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) might have set a dateline of March ending within which it will call for a full-scale industrial action if the funds for the Universities revitalization project are not released.
The ultimatum may have become necessary following the discovery by the top echelon of the union that the government was playing politics with them over the release of over 200 Billion already approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the university revitalization scheme and Academic Earned Allowance, as well as other entitlements owed the body by the government.
A highly dependable source within ASUU, who spoke to our Correspondent under anonymity condition because he is not permitted to speak on behalf of the body, disclosed that the leadership of the union is deeply worried that despite its huge sacrifices and cooperation shown to the present Administration, the federal government has continued to play ‘hanky panky ‘with them over funding of universities, particularly, in implementing existing agreements.
According to the source, the union is mostly pained that despite its resolve to guarantee an uninterrupted academic calendar at the citadel of learning, the government is busy playing politics with them.
The source revealed that the union is tired of attending meetings with the Minister of Education where all negotiations and resolutions are not implemented.
It was also gathered that the government and ASUU team had recently reached a compromise where the sun of 150 billion naira was to be released as a revitalization fund,50 billion as Academic Earned Allowance, and another 30 billion respectively; again, the government reneged as monies are yet to be released as agreed.
The source further disclosed that the union resolved not to attend any meeting with the officials of the government unless President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the Accountable General of the Federation to make the funds available.
“Look let me tell you, what ASUU wants is the immediate release of revitalization fund as well as AEA and all other of entitlement owed them by the government”
It was also learned that the union believes that both the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Accountant General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, are hiding certain facts from the President and are not telling the President the truth as it concerns public university education.
The reliable source noted that the only way to avert stile action by the body is for the president to intervene and order for the immediate release of the funds to the institutions and also honor agreements entered into with the union.
It was also gathered that the OAGF is frustrating all attempts geared towards releasing the fund.
According to the source, officials of the Accountant General’s office insist on fresh presidential approval to release funds to the universities across the country.
The highly dependable source revealed that at a recent meeting between the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa the AG, and the President of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, as well as other officials of the government it was agreed that the N 300 Billion captured in the 2023 appropriation Act but was not released be rolled – over to this year.
It was gathered that a letter signed by the Minister of Education and addressed to the Accountant General requesting that the money be rolled over to 2025 has already been dispatched.
The Union was said to be represented at the meeting by its President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, who complained bitterly over the lack of political will by successive governments on the problem of the death of infrastructure and the welfare of members of the University community, including the knotty challenge of Earn allowance for members.
ASUU is also angered that the refusal of the government to release the university revitalization fund is gradually killing public universities, adding that infrastructure that could aid teaching and learning has become an eyesore in almost all the universities in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government had in 2009 reached an agreement with ASUU for the provision of 1.3 trillion on annual tranches of N220 billion over a period of 5 years as intervention funds for the revitalization of universities.
A review of the agreement was done in 2014. However, it is yet to be implemented, resulting in several industrial actions by ASUU, which distorts the academic calendar in the ivory tower.
Investigation revealed that efforts by the Federal Ministry of Education to prevent the strike action under the Tinubu-led government will might become history, if the Accountant General of the Federation keeps creating conditions that make the implementation of the agreements difficult, thereby, hampering the release of the University revitalization fund which was done based on needs assessments of the public universities.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has demanded justice for the five students of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN) who lost their lives in an auto crash near Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
NANS South West General Secretary, Oluwole Olutunde Aboke in conjunction with NAUS CMC Osun (JCC Osun), and NANS South West (Zone D), in a petition addressed to President Bola Tinubu dated March 24, 2025, accused the Silver Transport Company of negligence, indifference and failure to take responsibility for the accident involving the students.
The students’ body accused the transport company of gross negligence, recklessness and utter lack of accountability in connection with the tragic accident.
NANS said it was disturbing that despite the gravity of the incident, the transport company had failed to release any official statement, send condolences to the victims’ families, or accept responsibility for their role in this unfortunate disaster.
According to them, the silence is not only an insult to the bereaved families, but also a blatant disregard for human lives and public safety.
“Your Excellency, this recklessness cannot go unpunished. Companies operating in Nigeria must be held accountable for their actions, especially when their negligence leads to the loss of innocent lives,” the students said.
The students urged the office of the President to institute independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding tragedy, ensuring that the transport company was held responsible for any violations of safety regulations that contributed to the accident.
If found guilty of negligence, NANS demands indefinitely closure of the company to prevent further loss of lives.
It added that the Ministry of Transportation should review its operational license and assess whether transport companies meet necessary safety standards required to continue operations in Nigeria.
The students stated that the affected students and their families deserve justice, urging the government to compel the Company to take full responsibility and compensate the families of the victims for their loss.
While calling on the Nigeria Police not to bury the case, NANS said it observed a pattern where cases of corporate negligence were swept under the carpet.
They urged the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner, Osun State Police Command to ensure that the case was not abandoned or manipulated in favour of the transport company.
It warned that Nigerian students would not remain silent while innocent lives continue to be endangered by the irresponsibility of corporate entities.
“If swift action is not taken, NANS JCC Osun will mobilise students across the state and beyond for a mass action to demand justice.
“We trust in Your Excellency’s commitment to justice and public safety, and we look forward to your immediate intervention in this pressing matter”, they added.
Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, the director general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), says the scheme will begin paying N77,000 to corps members as an allowance in March 2025.
The brigadier general spoke at the NYSC zonal offices in Wuse and Garki, Abuja on Thursday.
Nafiu said the scheme prioritises the welfare of corps members.
He urged them to remain disciplined and dedicated to national service.
The brigadier emphasised the NYSC’s role in fostering national unity and cultural integration.
He pledged that the management would continue to uphold values of patriotism, leadership, and teamwork among corps members.
“NYSC is good at record-keeping. I can assure you that your money will be paid. The nation and the scheme appreciate you,” Nafiu said.
Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu assumed office as the 23rd DG of the NYSC on March 6, 2025, succeeding Yusha’u Ahmed.
After taking over office, he pledged to address pending concerns around corps member welfare.
Corps members receive a monthly stipend from the federal government to support their basic needs during the service year.
The allowance has been periodically reviewed in response to economic realities, with the last significant increase occurring in 2020 when it was raised to N33,000 following the implementation of the new minimum wage.
The latest increment to N77,000 aligns with the recent adjustment of the national minimum wage.
… Bishop Kukah is pro-chancellor
… Tinubu appoints varsity’s principal officers
Prof Williams Barnabas Qurix has emerged as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State.
President Bola Tinubu made the appointment on Monday, appointing Bishop Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council.
In a statement issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, he said he appointed the university’s principal officers, including Prof. Qurix Williams Barnabas as Vice Chancellor, Sanusi Gambo Adamu as Registrar, Ibrahim Dalhat as bursar, and Prof Daniel Abubakar as university Librarian, because of their track records.
President Tinubu also approved the appointment of Mr Thomas Etuh, representing the North Central, Chief Fabian Nwaora (South East), Prof Femi Taiwo (South West) and Zarah Bukar (North East) as members of the university’s Governing Council.
All the appointees were carefully selected based on their distinguished careers, leadership experience, and dedication to advancing education in Nigeria.
President Tinubu implored them to use their collective expertise to position the university as a hub for academic excellence and research, aligning with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
President Tinubu urged the newly appointed officers to provide visionary leadership and lay a solid foundation for the university’s growth as it prepares to admit its first cohort of students in September 2025.
The Federal University of Applied Sciences was formerly known as Nok University. It was renamed after the federal government took over its assets.