By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
In the quest for academic excellence and improved educational standards in Nigeria, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has made it clear that they will continue their strike action until the necessary reforms are implemented.
ASUU’s Unwavering Commitment
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, firmly asserted this position during an interactive session between Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and all beneficiary institutions in Abuja.
He criticized TETFund’s plan to extend its support to private universities, raising concerns about the potential proliferation of institutions lacking in educational quality.
Osodeke emphasized the importance of project monitoring, noting that the performance levels of beneficiary institutions vary significantly despite receiving the same financial support.
He further advocated for sanctions against underperforming institutions and called for the abolition of what he referred to as “stakeholders fund.”
In response to ASUU’s concerns, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, explained that the interactive session was designed to address the challenges facing the education sector.
Echono stressed the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration to enhance the quality of tertiary education.
He expressed hope that the session would facilitate a better understanding of the challenges faced and make significant contributions towards achieving the fund’s objectives.
Echono underlined TETFund’s primary mandate, which is to rehabilitate, restore, and consolidate tertiary education in Nigeria.
He emphasized the importance of consistent academic calendars, highlighting the link between strikes and decreased academic performance.
However, he also acknowledged that many strikes were aimed at improving the teaching and learning conditions for both students and staff.
Echono urged all stakeholders to work together to reposition Nigeria’s tertiary institutions to face the challenges of the modern era effectively.
He stressed the importance of addressing common concerns to prevent and mitigate strike actions in the education sector.
Ayuba Wabba, the former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), shared his perspective on “The Role of Trade Unions in TETFund Intervention Activities.”
He praised the commitment of TETFund in elevating university education and commended the unions in tertiary institutions for their ideological clarity and consistency.
Wabba highlighted the NLC’s efforts in resisting policies that negatively impacted the Nigerian education system.
He recognized the invaluable contributions of these unions in advocating for improved conditions within the educational landscape.
This interactive session provided a platform for stakeholders to address critical issues, collaborate, and work towards enhancing the quality of tertiary education in Nigeria.
ASUU’s commitment to higher education standards remains unshaken, and this ongoing dialogue is a positive step towards realizing a more robust and effective education system in the country.
