The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has criticized the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over what it described as “unfortunate and uncalled for” remarks by Professor Adelaja Odukoya, the Lagos Zonal Coordinator of ASUU.
In a heated exchange sparked by CONUA’s exclusion from the Federal Government’s newly reconstituted committee to renegotiate the 2009 FG-ASUU agreement, Odukoya labeled CONUA as a group of “charlatans” and claimed the union had been “used and dumped” by former Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige.
“Unionism based on opportunism and charlatanism will always end in disgrace and heartbreak,” Odukoya was quoted as saying in a November 14 report published by *Nigerian Tribune*. “They should wake up from their self-delusion as they have been used and dumped by Ngige.”
Responding in a statement signed by Nasiru Yunusa, its North-West Zonal Coordinator, CONUA dismissed the accusations as “misleading” and “an insult to reasoned academic discourse.” Yunusa argued that the exclusion of CONUA from the renegotiation process was an oversight by the government and criticized ASUU for celebrating the development.
“It is baffling that ASUU, which purports to seek comprehensive solutions to the welfare issues in universities, would celebrate the exclusion of another academic union,” Yunusa said. “If ASUU truly cares about the welfare of all university staff, it should support inclusive negotiations where all relevant stakeholders are represented.”
Yunusa further explained that CONUA’s demand to be included in the committee stems from the fact that the 2009 agreement, which is being renegotiated, was signed when ASUU was the sole representative of academic staff. “The issues being renegotiated will directly impact CONUA members, who are now part of the academic union landscape,” he added.
In a sharp rebuttal to Odukoya’s remarks, Yunusa said: “Nothing could be more asinine than ASUU labeling CONUA’s legitimate success as being ‘used and dumped.’ This is a betrayal of scholarly integrity and deep thinking.”
The dispute highlights lingering tensions between the two unions, particularly as CONUA continues to assert its relevance in Nigeria’s academic sector following its registration as a separate body. The exclusion from the renegotiation committee has reignited the rivalry, with both unions trading barbs over their roles and legitimacy.
CONUA has submitted a formal protest to the Federal Government, urging its inclusion in the renegotiation process to ensure fair representation for all academic staff in Nigerian universities.
