By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The Zonal Coordinator of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU Sokoto Zone, Professor Abubakar Sabo has decried that lack of political will rather than fund availability has remained the bane of ongoing long unresolved impasse between the union and the Federal Government.
“Contrary to clams of fiscal constraint, revenue data show significant increase. States recieved N3.92 Trillion from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) in 2022 and 5. 81 Trillion in 2024, an increase of over 62 percent.
“The Federal Government share rose from 3.42 Trillion in 2022 to 6.65 Trillion in 2024, an increase of over 70 percent . These figures indicate that the obstacle to resolving the renegotiation is political will not a lack of funds”.
Prof. Sabo who made the submission during ASUU’s zonal press conference in Sokoto warned that the federal government inconsistent approach to negotiations could have grave consequences for the public universities in Nigeria.
The Sokoto Zonal ASUU comprises of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), Umaru Musa Yaradu’a University (UMYU),Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology Aliero (AFUSTA), Sokoto State University (SSU), Federal University Dutsinma (FUDMA), Federal University, Brining Kebbi (FUBK), Federal University Gusau (FUG), Shehu Shagari University of Education Sokoto (SSUES) and Federal University of Agriculture Zuru (FUAZ).
Backing his assertion, Prof Sabo said, “the quantum of funding of States and Federal Government has risen, but unfortunately, the government is not ready to lose money on education, adding that explains why they said it is not economical, but lack of political will by the leaders to do the needful in salvaging public universities”.
While noting that Nigerian University lecturers are amonsgt the least paid globally, Prof Sabo wondered why education is not considered a priority and social good that is essential for sustainable national development in Nigeria, but treated as a commercial commodity by the nation’s leaders.
Prof Sabo who appealed to the Federal Government to seize the one month window of grace to swiftly act and comprehensively resolve all outstanding matters promptly, affirmed despite progress made at the non-monetary aspect of the agreement, the proposed salary increases remained inadequate and would not reverse brain drain.
