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Tag: ASUU

  • ASUU opens up, states stand on tax reform bills

    ASUU opens up, states stand on tax reform bills

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the National Assembly (NASS) to protect the Tertiary Education Trust (TETFUND) from being abrogated under the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024.

    Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the President of ASUU, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Osodeke said that the proposed bill was worrisome and also posed potential danger to the Tertiary Education Trust (TETFUND).

    “ASUU has observed with keen interest the ongoing debate on the review of the tax system in the country under a proposed bill tagged, Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024.

    “This is currently before the National Assembly. Arising from the tax bill is the proposed abrogation of the education tax.

    “ASUU is alarmed by this dangerous and unpatriotic aspect of the proposed new tax regime,” he said.

    According to Osodeke, the bill proposed that education tax, called development levy, used to bankroll TETFund’s programmes should be ceded to the newly established Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

    “TETFund will also receive 66.7 per cent in 2027, 2028 and 2029 years of assessment but zero per cent in 2030 year of assessment and thereafter,”he said.

    He said that the far-reaching consequence of the new tax system is that from 2030, all funds generated from the development levy would be passed to NELFUND.

    He said that ASUU found the development not only worrisome but also inimical to the national development objective due to the potential danger to the survival of TETFund.

    Osodeke said that TETFund has been viewed as the backbone for infrastructural development, postgraduate training and research capacity building in Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions in the
    last 15 years.

    He said that ASUU had resolved not to stand by and watch the denigration or obliteration of TETfund which represents a positive testament to its constructive engagements with Nigerian governments since 1992.

    “It is our considered view that abrogating the TETFund Act 2011, by design or default, will be a great disservice not just to education but to Nigeria as a nation.

    “As a result, ASUU is urging members of the National Assembly to do all within their capacity to protect TETFund from being abrogated under the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, ”he said.

  • Lecturer arrested for ASUU chairman’s wife’s kidnap

    Lecturer arrested for ASUU chairman’s wife’s kidnap

    The Police Command in Benue has arrested Dr Tersagh Ichor, a lecturer with Joseph Saawuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM), for allegedly masterminding the kidnap of Mrs Susan Anyagh.

    The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), SP Sewuese Anene, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday in Makurdi.

    According to the PPRO, Mrs Anyagh, who is the wife of the chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), JOSTUM chapter, was kidnapped on 7th December in Makurdi.

    Anene said that she was kidnapped along Otukpo Road, in Makurdi, and taken hostage in her car to an unknown destination.

    She further stated that the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Steve Yabanet, immediately ordered all patrol officers and checkpoints to ensure her rescue and arrest those involved.

    The PPRO explained that about 2 pm on the same date, another piece of information was received along Yandev-Ugbema road that the victim was attacked by her abductors and left unconscious by the roadside.

    According to her, the victim was identified and rushed to Primary Healthcare Clinic, Ameladu, for treatment, where she later regained her consciousness.

    Anyagh told the police that while she was driving from the NNPC Mega Station, Kanshio, where she went to collect money from her customer, she was flagged down at Otukpo Road by persons who claimed to be in need, and she stopped to render help.

    “They quickly jumped into her car and pointed a gun at her, ordering her to drive towards the Wurukum area.

    “Immediately, she looked outside the car and saw her husband’s colleague, Dr Tersagh Ichor of JOSTUM, standing by the car; she beckoned to him for help, but he turned his back and walked away.

    “While moving in the vehicle, her abductors received a call from Ichor ordering that she should be killed, and she became agitated.

    “When they sighted a police checkpoint ahead that was checking vehicles, they decided to reverse to a hidden place.

    “They parked the car, brought her out, collected the sum of N1,350,000 she had in the car, opened the car boot, and took a vehicle jack, which they used to hit the back of her neck, and she fell,” she added.

    Anene said in the statement that Ichor has been arrested in connection with the case, and the investigation is ongoing.

    The PPRO said that details of the investigation would be communicated in due time.

    Meanwhile, the CP has advised all concerned persons to be law abiding and patient with the police, as diligent investigation would be carried out to establish the facts.

  • ASUU strike: Students suspend planned protest

    ASUU strike: Students suspend planned protest

    The students of Taraba State University (TSU) Jalingo have suspended their planned peaceful demonstration against strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), giving the state government until Friday to resolve the  crisis.

    The National Union of Taraba State Students (NUTASS) President, Aliyu Sulaiman on Tuesday, while briefing newsmen in Jalingo, called on the state  government to act swiftly to resolve the crisis and ensure students return to class without further delays.

    The students earlier planned a peaceful protest by Monday  to register their frustration caused by the ongoing strike by ASUU.

    Nungamiya  Lodiya, Chairman of the Joint Campus Council of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Taraba Chapter, stated that while they agreed to the postponement,  the students would shut down all  roads within the state,  if the crisis was not resolved.

    Also speaking, Comrade Rose Agada,  President of the Students Union Government (SUG) of the university, expressed frustration, stating that students were unfairly bearing the brunt of the standoff between the government and lecturers.

    Meanwhile, Mr. Norbert Abeh, a representative of the Students Representative Assembly (SRA)appealed to both the state government and the striking union to resolve their differences in the interest of the students.

    It will be recalled that the Academic Staff Union  of Universities, ASUU Taraba chapter began an indefinite strike on December 5, 2024, disrupting examinations and finalyear academic activities.

    The union cited unmet demands by the Taraba government as the reason for its strike action.

  • ASUU declares Indefinite strike

    ASUU declares Indefinite strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) in Bauchi has announced an indefinite strike.

    According to the ASUU Chairperson for the SAZU branch, Comrade Awwal Hussain Nuhu, in a statement to the press following an emergency congress convened at the Yuli Campus in Bauchi, emphasized that the call was made to improve working conditions from the university administration.

    Nuhu, indicated that the congress had determined it had exhausted all available avenues, with previous efforts to engage the authorities proving unsuccessful.

    The chairperson highlighted that the congress recognized a lack of willingness and commitment from both the university administration and the government to address its concerns, despite numerous attempts made to facilitate dialogue.

    “Therefore, a member of the union moved for a motion for the branch to embark on a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action which was seconded by another member.

    “Consequently, the congress passed a resolution for the branch to embark on comprehensive and indefinite strike action until further notice.

    “The strike action has to commence immediately at 12:00pm on Friday the 29th of November 2024. With this, all members of ASUU in SAZU are directed to comply as no academic activity of whatever form or meetings will take place while it lasted.

    “Members are directed to embark on a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action until further notice. This implies that activities such as teaching, marking, meetings, accreditation and any other activities related to academic staff are suspended indefinitely,” the statement reads.

  • ASUU decries number of first class graduates from private universities

    ASUU decries number of first class graduates from private universities

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has frowned at the “increasing numbers of first-class graduates” churned out annually by private universities in the country.

    The ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, raised the concern on Thursday at an event organised by the body in honour of Prof. Andy Egwunyenga’s successful tenure as Vice Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU).

    The event took place at the DELSU campus, Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta.

    Osodeke said that if public universities adopt the same practice without regulation, it could lead to the decline of genuine academic pursuits.

    According to him, primary and secondary schools nowadays are producing graduates with excellent grades with insufficient knowledge.

    The union leader also decried what he called “the mass exodus” of skilled Nigerian workers to nations perceived to be offering better work and living conditions.

    He said that incidents like building collapse in the country indicated there were significant issues within the nation’s institutions.

    “The struggle for academics to enjoy a decent standard of living saw some measure of successes in the past when academics could sustain a comfortable life.

    “The situation has changed; the unions must return to the frontline for a renewed phase of their struggle. ASUU will consistently speak out against injustices and support fairness,” he said.

    A member of the union, Prof. Omotoye Olorode, spoke on the topic: “New University Curricula (CCMAS): Context and Matters Arising” .

    He said that the CCMAS functioned as an imperialistic mechanism aimed at disrupting the established academic structures in the country’s universities.

    Olorode said this was designed to perpetuate a system, where Africans remain agricultural labourers to support the agricultural needs of developed nations.

    “UNESCO recommends that 26 per cent of the nation’s budget should be allocated to education.

    “Nigeria has never reached more than seven per cent, which reflects our stagnation and reluctance to facilitate growth in the education sector,” he said.

    He congratulated the outgoing DELSU vice chancellor on a job well done.

    The Chairman of DELSU ASUU, Dr Paul Opone, extended his heartfelt wishes to Egwunyenga.

    He said that DELSU had been in dire need of a leader since 2019 to navigate the troubled waters caused by poor leadership.

    He praised Egwunyenga for meeting the expectations of ASUU and the university community which, according to him, resulted in widespread celebration across all sectors of the institution.

    “This is the first occasion where ASUU had to honour a lecturer at DELSU with such a celebration. Prof. Egwunyenga deserves far more than the praises he has received,” he said.

    Responding, Egwunyenga expressed joy over the numerous accolades he received from across the three senatorial districts of the state.

    He disclosed that his approach as vice chancellor was influenced by the narratives found in Festus Iyayi’s book, “Demons and Monsters”.

  • Why we reject IPPIS, GIFMIS – ASUU

    Why we reject IPPIS, GIFMIS – ASUU

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has explained why it rejected two payment platforms of the federal government and insisted on University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), it created as alternative.

    ASUU had rejected the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), a platform the Federal Government uses to pay no fewer than 789,000 of its workers in various sectors of the economy. ASUU members are also currently on the platform.

    The union had also rejected Government Integrated Financial Management and Information System (GIFMIS), the platform the federal government recently approved that ASUU payment should transit to, with effect from November

    In an exclusive interview the NAN on Sunday in Abuja, the ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said that the union’s stance is in line with the autonomy of the nation’s tertiary institutions.

    According to him UTAS conforms with the statutory provision that the university’s finances should be managed by its Governing Council.

    “ASUU’s position is that the finances of the university should be managed by the Governing Council. That’s what the law says. It does not says by the Accountant General’s office.

    ”Every year, the governing council directs the Vice Chancellor to defend its budget at the National Assembly.When the budget is approved including salary, remuneration, overhead, it will go to the President for assent and it becomes a law.

    ”That money should be released to the Governing council to pay its staff members. That is the autonomy of the university we are talking about, as stipulated in the law,” he said

    Osodeke stressed that the universities should be given autonomy, to be able to plan for its staff members’ recruitment and how to pay their salaries.

    He recalled that the Union rejected IPPIS because its implementation does not only erodes university’s autonomy but meddles with its internal affairs and violates Section 24A of the Universities Miscellaneous Provisions (Amendment) Act 2003.

    Osodeke also faulted the recent guidelines by the federal government detailing the process for the formal exit of Federal Tertiary Institutions (FTIs) from IPPIS.

    In a circular issued on Oct. 8, the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, said the payroll for FTIs in the month of October 2024 will still be processed on the IPPIS platform.

    She added that, starting from November, the payrolls will be processed by the institutions themselves and then be checked by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation’s (OAGF)’s IPPIS department.

    According to her, the payment will be made through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) platform.

    Osodeke, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the directives, stating that the AGF was playing games with the union.

    “GIFMIS is still an appendage of IPPIS. When you look at the circular, paragraph two says after universities have finished preparation, it will still come to OAGF IPPIS, for verification before it is paid by GIFMIS, which means nothing has changed.

    ”As at now, no university knows who is being paid what. IPPIS has been paying people who have been sacked, people who are non staff members and people who have left the university system.

    “The Vice Chancellors cannot discipline any erring official.Even when you are being disciplined, the IPPIS or GIFMIS will still be paying your salary and that is what we are saying,” he said

    Osodeke said the insinuation in certain quarters that ASUU was insisting on UTAS, its own developed solution, to shield lecturers teaching in more than one institution, was misconceived

    According to him, the establishment Act of University permits lecturers to teach in two institutions, but with laid down guidelines

    “As stipulates by the law, a lecturers can serve as adjunct in another university, they can also work as part time in another university.

    ”They can serve as visiting professor in another university and this is the practice all over the world.

    ”For example, if you have a Professor who is highly knowledgeable in a particular field working in one university and another university has no one to handle such programme, what will they do?.

    ‘”That university will approach the other and appeal to the lecturer to come and teach their students on part time basis, which might be once or two times in a month.

    ”The institution is not expected to pay full salary to the lecturer, but allowances for the part time job.That is what it is. It is in the law and it is all over.

    Osodeke also explained that lecturers do go on sabbatical; meaning, a lecturer, who has taught for six years, could apply for one year leave to go to other university or institution to teach.

    According to him, it is not a new development, but the only caveat is that the maximum number of university a lecturer can practice such is two.Teaching beyond two institutions is tantamount to breaking the law.

    ”It is a global standard and that is why we have visiting professors from London, Ghana, among others coming here to impact their knowledge.

    ”When you look at UTAS that we developed, any lecturer who has gone to sabbatical for more than the approved number, will be rejected automatically.

    ”Also, any lecturer who has not met the six years requirement for teaching and want to go on sabbatical leave would be rejected. All these have been built into the UTAS,” he said.

    The ASUU President noted, that the lack of exchange of knowledge by lecturers from one institution to another was partly responsible for the low ranking of Nigerian universities in the global ranking assessment.

    Osodeke also described as misleading, the claim by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) that UTAS had failed three integrity tests.

    The ASUU President said UTAS is a credible and trusted payment platform that captures the inherent peculiarities in the country’s university system.

    According to Osodeke, NITDA, in an earlier integrity test conducted on UTAS, had written a report scoring the platform, 97.3 per cent, but later recounted.

    He insisted that in the tests conducted by the agency, IPPIS came a distant last to UTAS and wondered why the government insisted on using the IPPIS.

    Osodeke said that ASUU’s planned strike notice over the payment platform and other issues was still standing but the union had only given the government space to conclude on the new renegotiation committee that was set up.

  • NASU, SSANU kick against move to re-negotiate contentious 2009 agreement

    NASU, SSANU kick against move to re-negotiate contentious 2009 agreement

    The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has expressed displeasure over the inauguration of a re-negotiation committee by the Federal Government.

    The committee was inaugurated to re-negotiate the contentious 2009 agreement with university based unions. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of both unions said this in a statement jointly signed by Mr Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU and Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, SSANU President on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Recall that the re-negotiation committee was inuagurated on Tuesday by the Minister of Education. The JAC said that the unions were not given due recognition.

    According to the statement, the JAC of NASU and SSANU hereby strongly expresses its displeasure at the inauguration of re-negotiation committee of the 2009 agreements with university based Unions on Oct. 15.

    “Firstly, the reference on the letters of invitation to NASU and SSANU indicated ASUU, implying that the letters originated from ASUU’s file rather than from the files of our two Unions.

    “The event appeared to have been primarily focused on ASUU with the other unions seemingly included as an afterthought.

    “The minister of education’s inauguration speech centered almost entirely on ASUU, with only brief and cursory mentions of the other unions,” it said.

    It said that the preferential treatment given to the ASUU leadership at the inauguration was unfair to the other unions.

    “To confirm our fears, at the venue of the inauguration, the two unions witnessed a most humiliating experience.

    “The President of ASUU was placed on what was referred to as the “responsibility table” and the presidents of other unions looked on from their positions of “irresponsibility” from the proceeding,”it said.

    It said that it was also obvious that NASU and SSANU were only invited as mere spectators to give a semblance of legitimacy and acceptability to an already concluded renegotiation exercise.

    It further said that the President of ASUU alone was invited to give a response on behalf of other unions without consultation.

    “He ended up speaking on behalf of his union, this clearly showed that the opinions and experiences of other Unions do not matter in the re-negotiation.

    “The proceedings of the entire inauguration has clearly shown the imbalance of relationship and the obvious unfair treatment that would be meted out to NASU and SSANU if the renegotiation process continues in this manner.

    “Consequently, the JAC of NASU and SSANU hereby condemns the entire inauguration process.

    “It signals a potential bias in favour of academic staff in the upcoming negotiations, to the detriment of non-teaching staff,”the statement said.

    NASU appeals to finance ministry to pay withheld salaries

    Meanwhile, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has appealed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, to pay withheld salaries of its members.

    Dr Makolo Hassan, President of NASU, who made the appeal during a two-day National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, urged the minister to pay 50 per cent of the withheld salaries as directed by President Bola Tinubu.

    According to him, the Federal Government has yet to resolve the issue of the four months unpaid salaries of NASU members in the universities and inter-university centres.

    “This is in spite of the fact that we have been informed that President Bola Tinubu has directed that 50 per cent of the unpaid salary, that is the two months, be paid.

    “We are reliably informed that the finance minister is the one sitting on the directive of Mr President on the matter.

    “NASU will therefore, like to use this forum to appeal to him to ensure that the directive is implemented to avert further industrial crisis in our universities and inter-university centres,”he said.

    He called on the Federal Government to speedily address the various issues as contained in the different agreements and Memoranda of Understanding entered with the leadership of the union.

    Makolo also called on the government to enhance the living standards of the bon-teaching staff by granting them the privilege of enjoying the newly approved 65 years retirement age and 40 years of service.

    He further appealed to the government to constitute the boards of the research institutions to enhance their productivity.

    He also called on the President to ensure that the board of the teaching/specialist hospitals were constituted towards ensuring effectiveness in their performance.

    He said that the education sector faced significant challenges, particularly funding, infrastructure decay and staff welfare that have hindered the fulfillment of the institutions’ mandates.

    Also, Prof. Tahir Mamman, Minister of Education, while declaring open the NEC meeting, urged all to support one another in building an education system with pride and a legacy for the future generations.

    Mamman, represented by Prof. Pauline Okwelle, Executive Secretary of National Commission for Colleges of Education, said that in the face of economic challenges, there was need to focus on enhancing productivity.

    “This requires us to be adaptable and innovative.The digital economy presents us with numerous opportunities to streamline and improve our services.

    ” Let us embrace technology, not as a threat, but as a tool to enhance our efficiency.

    “Training and development in digital skills will empower us to do our jobs more effectively, align for better service delivery, and increase productivity.

    “I encourage you to participate in workshops and training sessions that will equip you with the necessary skills to strive in this evolving landscape.

    “As representatives of our institutions, we must exemplify professionalism and integrity in all our interactions. This not only boosts our reputation, it also instills confidence among members of our academic community,”he said.

    Earlier, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, said that the role of non-academic staff was crucial in the advancement of education.

    According to Maikudi, it is important to recognise that the smooth operation of any educational institution depends on the hard work, commitment, and efficiency of non-academic staff.

    “From administrative duties to ensuring that our campuses are conducive for learning, research and innovation, your contribution is essential to the success of the university system and education as a whole,”she said.

  • ASUU threatens indefinite strike

    ASUU threatens indefinite strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to embark on indefinite strike over failure of the Federal Government to honour the 2009 aggrement reached with it.

    Prof. Timothy Namo, the Bauchi Zonal Coordinator of the union said this during a  news conference on Friday in Jos.

    Namo said that the union after its National Executive Council (NEC) held between Aug. 17 and Aug. 18, issued a 21-day ultimatum.

    ”As we speak, government has not honour any of the agreements or address our concerns. At the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum, we again issued another 14-day ultimatum that commenced from Sept. 23.

    ”So, we want Nigerians to blame the federal government if ASUU decide to down tools and shut down public universities,”he said.

    Namo highlighted the lingering issues to include, non conclusion of the re-negotiation of the 2009 agreement, non release of the three-and-half month salaries of academic staff, unpaid salaries of all academic staff on adjunct appointment and outstanding third-party deductions

    Others lingering issues he said were, poor funding for the revitalisation of public universities, none payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) as captured in the 2023 budget, proliferation of universities, non implementation of the reports of visitation panels to universities, among others.

  • Electricity bill killing universities – ASUU raises alarm

    Electricity bill killing universities – ASUU raises alarm

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed worry over huge administrative cost incurred by many public universities.

    Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU President, said this while speaking with newsmen at a two-day programme organised by the union on the state of nation conference on Thursday in Abuja.

    The theme of the conference is, “Nigeria in a State of general crisis: the search for a new path to development”.

    Osodeke said that most of the internally generated funds from universities were nothing to write home about when compared to the daily or monthly running costs for electricity, security among others.

    “We are so challenged, but let me give you a quick example, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, and University Nigeria, Nsuka; what they get from the government account for overhead running of the university in a month is N15million.

    “Meanwhile, the University of Lagos needs about N200 million naira to pay electricity bill. It is this IGR that you talk about that is used to pay for the electricity.

    “One of the universities today is closing down because they have been given electricity bill of N300 million naira.

    “What government gives you to run the system is N15 million, and you get a bill for electricity alone of 300 million naira,”he said.

    According to the ASUU president, the IGR is not enough to buy books in the library, or to run the library.

    “For whatever reason, they have refused to fund the university systems as it was in the earlier part of our history.

    “From the way we are going, if nothing is done, many universities will close up because they can not afford the so called band A and Band B,”he said.

    Osodeke also said that the economic situation of some academics in the country had become worrisome.

    He said that farming had become even more lucrative for academicians, especially as some professors earned lower than N300,000 per month, and still publish journals.

    He also criticised the proliferation of Universities in the country, adding that they are merely running on skeletal manpower as most of the academic staff were out of the country searching for greener pastures.

    He said that the situation within the university system was very disturbing.

    He also noted how rigging was perpetrated by the polictical class, which warranted ASUU members to stay away from electoral processes after the 2015 general elections.

    Osodeke added that, academicians still presiding over elections were doing so in their individual capacities, not as ASUU members.

    The Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, called on ASUU to shelve its planned strike.

    Abbas said that there must be other alternative means of resolving industrial disputes in the university system other than the regular resort to strike.

    “We must equally strive to maintain industrial harmony and stability through alternative dispute resolution,”he said.

  • ASUU Zonal Coordinator escapes from kidnappers in Edo

    ASUU Zonal Coordinator escapes from kidnappers in Edo

    Prof. Monday Igbafe, Benin Zonal Coordinator of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has escaped from the captivity of kidnappers in Edo State.

    Igbafen, who is a lecturer at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, was on Saturday night reportedly ambushed at the entrance of his residence in the community by some gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

    The armed men were said to have hijacked his Toyota Highlander and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

    It was gathered that the kidnappers gave up on the victim due to the pressure from the bush combing by operatives of the police division in Ekpoma.

    When contacted on Monday, the Public Relations Officer of the Police Command, SP Moses Yamu, confirmed the escape of the don from the den of kidnappers.

    “The command is aware of the report. Operatives of the Ekpoma Division mounted pressure on the kidnappers which led to the escape of the victim. We are on the trail of the suspects to ensure that they are brought to book,” Yamu said.