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Tag: Emmanuel Osodeke

  • 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”.

  • 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 calls on govt to address outstanding issues

    ASUU calls on govt to address outstanding issues

    The Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), National Executive Council (NEC) on Tuesday called on the Federal and State Governments to address all outstanding issues with the union.

    Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, President, ASUU said this in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the ASUU-NEC meeting held at Obefemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife between May 11 to May 12.

    Osodeke said that the union had rejected all the ongoing illegalities and flagrant violation of university autonomy in public universities as a result of non-reinstatement and reconstitution of governing councils.

    He said that NEC observed with dismay the continued erosion of autonomy of public universities, contrary to the provisions of the Universities Miscellaneous Act (1993, 2012).

    He said, “The dissolution of Governing Councils by the present administration has paved way for all manner of illegalities in the Nigerian University System.

    “University administrations now place advertisements for the appointment of Vice-Chancellor without authorisation from the appropriate quarters – the Governing Councils.

    “Outgoing Vice-Chancellors, working in cahoots with the Federal and State Ministries of Education, are illegally running the universities on daily basis.

    “They routinely usurp the powers of governing councils to recruit and discipline staff as well as manage university finances in manners bereft of transparency and accountability.”

    He said that for the past 11 months universities were being run without a governing council which had given room to all sorts of illegalities in the universities system.

    Osodeke said the union undertook a dispassionate and comprehensive review of the status of its engagements with Federal and State Governments on how to reposition Nigeria’s public universities for global reckoning and competitiveness.

    The president also said that the meeting took a critical look at the worsening living and working conditions in universities and the nation at large.

    “The meeting received alarming reports on the failed promises of the Federal and State governments towards addressing the lingering issues that forced the union to embark on the nationwide strike of February-October 2022.

    “As our union has consistently stated, salary awards are no substitutes for a negotiated agreement.

    “Each negotiated Agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and ASUU is a comprehensive package that captures not the just salary component.

    “But also a gamut of requirements for benchmarking a competitive university system designed for addressing the developmental challenges of Nigeria.

    “ASUU’s demand for negotiated salary and other conditions of service is anchored on the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Convention No. 98 which underscores the principle of collective bargaining.

    “The last FGN/ASUU Agreement was in 2009. Consequent upon the union’s advocacy spanning almost one decade, our union went into the renegotiation with the FGN as in 2017,” he said.

    Osodeke said that NEC shall reconvene after two weeks from the date of the NEC meeting to review the situation and take a decisive action to address the issues.
    On the issue of the indefinite strike in university of Abuja, he said they were fully in support of the action.

  • School fees hike: ASUU president, others advise FG

    School fees hike: ASUU president, others advise FG

    The National President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, has urged the Federal Government to review the hike in fees in its schools.

    He urged the government to do so and find a safe landing for the nation’s future leaders.

    Osodeke was speaking against the backdrop of the recent hike in fees of Unity Colleges and some first generation public tertiary institutions in the country.

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Sunday in Lagos that the hike in fees could be counterproductive.

    Recall that the University of Lagos was the latest of the public universities to increase its fees from N25,000 to almost N200,000, depending on programme.

    The university had announced an adjustment in the obligatory fees for both returning and new students of the institution, with effect from Sept 1, for the 2023/2024 academic session.

    A breakdown of the fees by the institution showed that the mandatory charges for one academic session for new undergraduate students are N126, 325, for courses without laboratory/studio.

    It also approved N176,325 as mandatory charges for one academic session for courses with laboratory and studio.

    A further breakdown of the approved mandatory charges for one academic year for returning students showed N100,750 for courses without laboratory and studio, while approved mandatory charges for courses with laboratory and studio was N140,250.

    Approved charges for Medical students was put at N190,250.
    The institution also fixed N20,000 as utility charge to be paid by all undergraduate students, while a total of N30,000 was to be paid by all final year students.

    According to the university, the review came after careful deliberations with its stakeholders (students, parents/guardians, staff unions, alumni among others).

    It had explained that the adjustment in fees was in view of the prevailing economic realities, for it to be able to meet its obligations to its students, staff and municipal service providers among others.
    Osodeke said that the best way out to issues was to adopt holistic approach, noting that policies should be people centred.
    “I think the whole thing now boils down to the parents.

    These have been part of our agitations. We were fighting on the need to right some wrongs, but rather than get support, we were attacked.

    “It may interest you to know that UNILAG is not the only tertiary institution that has hiked fees in recent times.

    “The likes of Bayero University Kano, Benin and Abuja among others, have all done the same. What this will translate to, is for children of the poor to withdraw from school.

    “However, we should be mindful of the inherent danger that may accompany such development, when it comes to vices, especially among youth. It could become a willing pool to recruit from. It is indeed sad.

    “We hope the current administration will review the whole situation and find a safe landing for these our future leaders.

    ‘Government could set up a high-powered commission, made up of people of integrity and brain, to review all the issues, as it concerns the country’s education sector. And like I said, it has been done in the past,” the unionist said.

    Also reacting, one of the students of the institution who pleaded anonymity, called on well meaning Nigerians to prevail on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene on the situation.

    The 400 level student of the Faculty of Engineering said that the hike in fees could mean the end of his academic pursuit as he was responsible for his education.

    “I used to do menial jobs to see myself through school, especially during vacation. Sometimes I do night guard in some establishments around.

    ”My parents are both not too strong and hence I took up the challenge to do something for myself, so that at the end, I will be able to take care of my siblings and my parents too.

    “Even before now, it has not been easy. With the current increase, what do I do, where do I start from, who do I run to. Should I just allow all I have been able to achieve getting to this level go down the drain?. I may not be able to stand this,” he said.

    A prospective student, who gave her name simply as Mercy, said her parents were already having a second thought concerning her joining the institution, following the increase in fees.

    According to her, the situation has thrown the family into confusion, as it is becoming increasingly clear that her parents may not be able to meet up with such demands, considering the current economic realities in the country.

    Mercy, who had been given placement in the institution to study Pharmacy, noted that she may lose the opportunity and opt for skills acquisition.

    “My parents had supported me to this stage and were positive about seeing me through the university, even from their meagre resources but with this current hike in fees, it is clear that my dreams for academic progression may no longer materialise,” she said.

    Another student who also pleaded anonymity appealed to the Federal Government to reconsider the fees, as the development could have unintended consequences.

    The final year student of Accounting urged government to plough back recovered government funds into the education sector, to bring relief to parents, especially in the face of the ripple effect of the subsidy removal.

  • ASUU speaks on plan to boycott lectures

    ASUU speaks on plan to boycott lectures

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has concluded plans to boycott lectures and embark on a one-day nationwide protest against the half salary being paid to them by the Federal Government.

    Recall that the FG said it has employed no work, no pay policy for lecturers in the country.

    According to ASUU The protest will be organized at the branch levels of the union across public university campuses nationwide and it will take place as a lecture-free day for all lecturers who are members.

    One of the members of the union, who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the one day protest to pressmen on Sunday.

    According to him, the protest and lecture boycott will not be a uniform thing.

    “We are protesting. Branches will choose their own dates, the government needs to understand that we are not casual workers.”

    Confirming the development, a letter signed by the chairperson of ASUU, University of Lagos branch, Dr Dele Ashir,  noted that the branch would protest on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

    The  letter which was addressed to “all stakeholders” noted that the special congress/ protest rally against the casualization of intellectualism in Nigeria  will hold on “Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at Julius Berger auditorium.”

    The national president of ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke could not be immediately reached for comments as of the time of filing this report.

    Recall that lecturers in many public universities were not happy receiving half payments for the month of October.

    Defending the decision of the government, the minister of labour and employment, Chris Ngige noted that the university lecturers were paid pro-rata.

  • ASUU : There is no agreement with Federal Government yet – Osodeke

    ASUU : There is no agreement with Federal Government yet – Osodeke

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has revealed that the body did not enter into any form of agreement with the federal government before the eight-month strike action was called off.

    ASUU president, Emmanuel Osodeke, disclosed this on Monday during a meeting with the leadership of the House of Representatives.

    Recall that ASUU called off its eight-month-old strike action after the Appeal Court upheld the decision of the National Industrial Court (NIC) which ruled that lecturers should return to classrooms.

    However, before the ruling by the court, the House had brokered some agreements between the union and the executive.

    In the meeting, Mr. Osodeke said the lecturers acted in good faith by calling off the strike without any written agreement.

    “The strike we called off, our members did it based on trust in us and the way the speaker has intervened—three meetings now—it was on that basis we were able to convince them.

    “What we agreed on the issue of IPPIS and UTAS is a temporary measure. We were challenged to do it. We had to spend our money and our resources. In 2020, we were challenged to produce it, he said.

    In his reactions to the comment made by ASUU president, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila said there is no need for ASUU to request a written agreement that the House is working with the executive.

    He cited the provision of N470 billion in the 2023 budget by President Muhammadu Buhari and the agreement to adjust the IPPIS to accommodate the peculiarities of ASUU.

    Mr. Gbajabiamila also announced that the House will host an education summit to address the issues facing the sector.

    Also speaking, the acting Accountant General of the Federation, Okolieaboh Sylva said the government is compiling the peculiarities of ASUU and amending the IPPIS accordingly.

  • ASUU directs members to resume immediately

    ASUU directs members to resume immediately

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed all its members to resume all services hitherto withdrawn with effect from 12:01 on Friday, 14th October 2022.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that this is contained in a statement released on Friday by ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke to officially call off the strike the union embarked on since February 14th.

    The National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU held an emergency meeting at the Comrade Festus lyayi National Secretariat, University of Abuja, Abuja, on Thursday, 13th October 2022 to review developments since the union declared an indefinite strike action on 29th August 2022.

    During the intervening period, the Minister of Labour and Employment, through a referral, approached the National Industrial Court (NIC) for the interpretation of “the provision of sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 18 (1) of the Trade Dispute Act, Cap T8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, whether the on-going prolonged strike by ASUU, which started since 14th February, 2022 is legal even after statutory apprehension by the Minister of Labour and Employment?”

    In addition, the Minister asked for an interlocutory order against the continuation of the strike and the National Industrial Court in its wisdom gave an order compelling ASUU to resume work pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    “Given the nature of the order, and in the opinion of our counsel, there was the need to appeal the interlocutory injunction granted against our Union at the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal acknowledged the validity of the grounds of the Union’s appeal but still upheld the order of the lower court and ordered our Union to comply with the ruling of the lower court as condition precedent for the appeal to be heard,” Prof Osodeke stated in a communique issued after the NEC meeting.

    According to the statement, NEC noted the series of meetings with the leadership of the House of Representatives led by the Hon. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, as well as intervention efforts of other well-meaning Nigerians both within and outside government and the progress made so far.

    “NEC deliberated on the recommendations of the Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila-led Committee within the framework of the FGN/ASUU’s Memorandum of Action(MoA) of 2020 on the contending issues that led to the strike action. For the avoidance of doubt, the issues include: Funding for Revitalisation of public universities Earned Academic Allowances, Proliferation of public Universities, Visitation Panels/Release of White Papers, University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a broad spectrum software to stop illegality and provide for an alternative, payment platform in the university system, Renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement.

    “While appreciating the commendable efforts of the leadership of the House of Representatives and other patriotic Nigerians who waded into the matter, NEC noted with regrets that the issues in dispute are yet to be satisfactorily addressed.

    “However, as a law-abiding Union and in deference to appeals by the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, and in recognition of the efforts of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and other well meaning Nigerians, ASUU NEC resolved to suspend the strike action embarked upon on 14th February 2022. Consequently, all members of ASUU are hereby directed to resume all services hitherto withdrawn with effect from 12:01 on Friday, 14th October, 2022,” the communique reads.

  • ASUU suspends eight-month-old strike

    ASUU suspends eight-month-old strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended, conditionally, its 8-month-old strike embarked on since February 14th this year, with public universities expected to reopen on Monday, the 17th October, 2022.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that ASUU suspended the strike following its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting that was held on Thursday into Friday morning with the President of ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke expected to announce the suspension of the strike at noon today.

    Speaking on ASUU’s decision after the meeting held at the ASUU secretariat in Abuja, a highly informed source within the NEC said, “Yes, it has been called off”. When asked for more details, the source said, “the president will release an official circular in the morning”.

    Recall that after meeting with the leadership of the House of Representatives over the lingering strike embarked upon by lecturers, ASUU had hinted the strike will likely be called off this week and the institutions fully re-opened next week for academic activities in the country.

    ASUU had expressed optimism that the intervention by the House of Representatives in the face-off with the Federal Government would yield desired results.

    Prof Osodeke, who spoke when the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, briefed the union in Abuja after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari said, “For the first time, we have seen light at the end of the tunnel.”

    Meanwhile, the Minister of Education had previously given a hint that ASUU will likely call off its ongoing strike while confirming negotiations are still ongoing between the Federal Government and the union.

    Adamu confirmed that the government has agreed to release the balance of N23billion Earned Allowances to the striking lecturers.

    The Minister said that the Ministry of Finance has promised to undertake a forensic audit of the N30billion allowance earlier released to the lecturers, bringing the total to N53billion, speaking at a separate meeting with the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFund),.

  • BREAKING: In next few days, we’ll call off strike – ASUU President

    BREAKING: In next few days, we’ll call off strike – ASUU President

    President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof Emmanuel Osodeke has said in the next few days, the union will call off its strike embarked on since February 14th.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Prof Osodeke made this known on Monday during a meeting of ASUU with the leadership of the Nigerian House of Representatives led by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.

    Speaking during the meeting, Osodeke thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and Gbajabiamila for their intervention to see that the strike is called off.

    “We extend our own appreciation to Mr President for intervening. And we know that this problem is now solved. I want to appeal that in the future, we should not allow strikes to linger. Strikes should not go beyond two days.

    “If the way the National Assembly has intervened, if we had done that long ago, from the beginning, or those in charge of education or labour have done exactly this, we will not be where we are today, we will not have stay more than two or three weeks in this strike.

    “Strike is all over the world, UK, U.S., all over. But they don’t allow it to last. So, we hope that working together in the next few days, we will put an end to this particular imbroglio in the Nigerian educational system,” Osodeke said.

  • Strike: ASUU President, others reacts to Buhari’s Independence Day broadcast

    Strike: ASUU President, others reacts to Buhari’s Independence Day broadcast

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it has always been open to dialogue that will bring a lasting solution to all areas in contention in its face-off with the federal government.

    It, however, regrets that the protracted strike by its members has taken this long without a solution.

    The President of the association, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke stated these in an interview on Saturday in Lagos.

    The unionist was reacting to the 62nd Independence Day broadcast of President Muhammadu Buhari, during which he again appealed to the striking lecturers to return to classes.

    The union has been on a nationwide strike since  Feb.14. Members of the association are protesting  the non-implementation of the 2009 agreement it entered into with the Federal Government.

    They also want better conditions of service, improved funding and a review of salaries, among other issues.

    Several attempts to resolve the lingering issues by concerned stakeholders have not been successful.

    “Today, we are celebrating our independence as a nation, and I think it calls for deep reflection by all. This issue would have since been resolved if enough concern was shown at the early stage.

    “We are not happy that our children have been at home for this length of time,” the ASUU president said.

    President Buhari had in his Independence Day broadcast to the nation, stated that his administration, since the inception in 2015, had put in place all measures to ensure that Nigeria took her place in the comity of nations.

    He said that his administration recognised the importance of a well-educated populace, as a panacea to most of the challenges facing the country.

    “We have, therefore, pursued policies and implemented programmes designed to create a literate and proficient society that ensures that citizens are availed with opportunities for life-long achievements.

    “I must confess that I am very pained by the recurring disruption to our tertiary education system and I am using this Independence Day celebration to re-iterate my call on the striking ASUU members to return to the classroom while assuring them that I will deal with their contending issues within the limits of the scarce resources available.

    “This administration has made appreciable progress in redressing these issues that have been lingering for over 11 years.

    “I want to also emphasise that this administration  in the last seven years plus, has been able to turn Nigeria around for the better,” President Buhari said.

    Meanwhile, a one time Minister of Education, Prof . Chinwe Obaji, decried the incessant disruption of the  academic calendar of universities.

    She said it had devastated most of the  students. According to her,  more worrisome is how the students will be able to regain all what they have lost during the period under review.

    “The expression by President Buhari on the matter during his broadcast today is touching. And I really pray he swings into action.

    “These children have suffered so much mental stress. They have been the ones bearing the brunt in all these, for a fault that is by no means theirs.

    “The question now is, how are the lecturers going to make up for this lost time, should they decide to go back to class?

    “Most of these students refer to us, including the lecturers, as their parents and in all of these, they have not been found wanting, rather, they have been at the receiving end, whenever strikes like this occur,” she said.

    She recalled a period when the universities witnessed  such protracted strike by lecturers in the past.

    ”These students were made to start examination two weeks after the strike, and to me , it s a great disservice to not just them, their parents, but to the entire nation at large.

    “These students, during this period, could have been exposed to all forms of vices and avoidable calamities, just as they will also pay their rents, for those living off campus, irrespective of their long absence,” she said.

    She emphasised the need for the striking lecturers to have a rethink and seek means of resolving the issue amicably soon enough, for the sake of the students.

    Obaji said that the lecturers must also find means of making up for the lost time for the students and not just resume to rush them into writing examination.

    A concerned parent, Mrs Florence Ibem, also expressed worry on the lingering strike, describing it as demoralising.

    According to her, the situation is destroying the future of the youth, and whatever needs to be done to salvage it must be done urgently.

    “The entire thing is no longer funny. It is eating deep into the psyche of these children, having stayed at home idling away for almost eight months now.

    “We never had it this bad, even during the peak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Something must be done and very quickly too,” she said.