As the two-week warning strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) enters its fifth day, the union has met with the Senate to clarify its demands for improved funding of Nigerian universities.
ASUU maintained that its call for better financial support is aimed at enhancing scholarly research, infrastructure development, and staff remuneration, which it described as among the lowest in Africa.
The current strike, which began on Monday, October 13, stems from two key issues: the alleged attempt by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to appropriate a portion of land belonging to the University of Abuja, and the Federal Ministry of Education’s decision to share part of the ₦50 billion allocated to universities with polytechnics and colleges of education.
While expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving ₦150 billion for Nigerian universities and placing a seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new public tertiary institutions, ASUU emphasized that the sector still requires significant investment to meet global standards.
Meanwhile, lawmakers have appealed to both sides to exercise restraint and work toward a mutually acceptable resolution to avoid further disruption of academic activities.
