The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again called on the Federal Government to significantly increase funding for public universities, arguing that proper investment in education remains the only lasting solution to recurring strikes and Nigeria’s poor performance in global university rankings.
Speaking before the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund at the National Assembly on Friday, ASUU President Chris Piwuna said that without consistent and adequate funding, the country’s higher education system would continue to deteriorate.
Longstanding issues dating back to 2011
Piwuna explained that the ongoing two-week warning strike, which began on October 13, was rooted in unresolved issues that date back over a decade.
“We engaged the Federal Government for eight years without tangible results. The Yayale Ahmed Committee report, submitted in December 2024, was ignored until this industrial action began,” he said.
Union reiterates key demands
According to ASUU, its demands have remained consistent: sustainable funding, improved conditions of service, revitalisation of public universities, and academic autonomy.
The union challenged the Senate committee to test the government’s commitment by ensuring adequate funding. “Try us. Push government to fund universities adequately and you’ll see the end of strikes and the improvement of our universities in global rankings,” Piwuna told the senators.
₦150 billion allocation trapped at Education Ministry
Piwuna revealed that although the National Assembly had approved ₦150 billion for universities, only ₦50 billion had been released so far.
He added that even the released amount was being delayed at the Ministry of Education, where the minister allegedly plans to share it among universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, despite these institutions having separate allocations.
Call for accountability and transparency
ASUU cautioned that the ₦150 billion approved specifically for universities must not be diverted or misused.
The union emphasized that transparent allocation of funds would not only end industrial disputes but also allow Nigerian universities to compete globally in research, innovation, and academic quality.
Alleged encroachment on University of Abuja land
Meanwhile, the union raised alarm over alleged attempts by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to acquire portions of the University of Abuja’s 10,000 hectares of land.
“We are worried because the University of Abuja is located in the FCT. Anyone serious about higher education should be focused on developing it,” ASUU stated, urging the Senate to intervene and prevent the minister from tampering with the institution’s property.
Government insists demands are addressed
The Federal Government, however, maintains that it has met most of ASUU’s demands and remains open to further negotiations to end the strike.
Following the union’s industrial action, the government reimposed the “no work, no pay” policy on striking lecturers, a move ASUU has repeatedly criticized as counterproductive to resolving long-term issues in the education sector.
The bigger picture for Nigeria’s higher education
ASUU’s message is clear: Nigeria cannot build world-class universities without sustained, transparent investment in academic infrastructure and research.
As global university rankings increasingly reflect research quality and innovation, underfunding remains Nigeria’s biggest barrier to competitiveness and stability in its education system.