The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a strong call to the Federal Government of Nigeria to halt the establishment of new universities and instead focus on revitalizing and adequately funding the country’s existing tertiary institutions.
Speaking at a press conference held at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, the ASUU Akure Zonal Coordinator, Professor Adeola Egbedokun, criticized the government’s continued approval of new universities despite a previously declared seven year moratorium on such actions. He described the newly created institutions as “crisis centres,” lacking the infrastructure, staffing, and funding necessary to function effectively.
“It is both illogical and irresponsible to continue creating new universities when the existing ones are underfunded, understaffed, and struggling to meet basic academic standards,” Prof. Egbedokun stated. “The government must live up to its promise and channel resources into strengthening the institutions we already have.”
ASUU emphasized that the proliferation of universities, both at the federal and state levels has led to overstretched resources, declining academic quality, and deteriorating infrastructure. The union warned that unless urgent steps are taken to address these issues, Nigeria’s higher education system risks further collapse.
The union also accused the government of misrepresenting the status of negotiations with ASUU and failing to implement key aspects of previous agreements, including the revitalization fund, payment of earned academic allowances, and university autonomy protections.
The union concluded by urging stakeholders, including students, parents, and civil society, to hold the government accountable for the state of public universities and to support ASUU’s advocacy for a more sustainable and equitable higher education system.