The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said over 400 members have been sacked in the last 10 or 15 years for fighting for their rights and interest of the university system.

The intimidation and persecution, ASUU said, are common in state-owned institutions as governors, who are visitors to these institutions, don’t tolerate opposing views and policies.

Past ASUU Chairman of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter, Dr. Dele Ashiru, stated this during a Leadership Training Workshop for new union executives at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

Participants were exposed to topics, such as, qualities required of leaders of the union for effective performance and principles of collective bargaining and negotiation.

According to Ashiru, the union has been standing against persecution and would continue to fight for the genuine interest of its members. He stressed that the union would not tolerate any unethical behaviour from any of its members.

He said: “ASUU has been supporting members who were persecuted for fighting for the interest of the union and for betterment of the university system, and will continue to do this if it is in collective interest.

“On the other hand, the union has sanctioned many erring members who engaged in unethical practices and will still do so if there are confirmed infractions. ASUU has zero tolerance for unethical practices and will continue to emphasise this to its members. The union does not tolerate indiscipline of any sort.”

Citing the case of members at the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, where 100 of them were sacked, and in Kogi State, where similar experience happened, Ashiru lamented that the deliberate persecution of union members has affected the morale of lecturers, adding that the union often clashes with management of institutions over unpalatable policies which oftentimes have political colouration.

Acting branch Chairman of ASUU-OOU, Dr. Wasiu Olooto, said the workshop was organised to educate the executives on what is expected of them in discharging their roles and to know their limitations as well.

The union has also called on President Bola Tinubu to sign the Nimi Briggs renegotiated draft as a sign of goodwill and assured hope for public universities.

It said repositioning public universities for global recognition will remain a mirage without the Federal Government implementing the Nimi Briggs report.

At a joint news conference by the Usman Danfodiyo University (UDUS) and Sokoto State University chapters, the union highlighted renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, withheld salary, earned academic allowances, illegal dissolution of governing councils, among other critical aspects, as issues disturbing public universities.

The conference was addressed by the branch chairmen Muhammad Mustapha (UDUS) and Saidu Abubakar (Sokoto State University).

They said: “We are dismayed by the Federal Government’s refusal to implement the already concluded Nimi Briggs report on the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement. Also is implementation of the wage award, completion of the Sokoto State University Staff quarters, promotion arrears, underfunding of universities and deepening socio-economic crisis which has worsened the security situation in the country.”

The duo said nothing was being done to properly fund universities to be able to address the shortage of lecture rooms and theatres, inadequate hostel and offices.

The union also faulted refusal of government officials to obey the presidential directive to remove universities from the IPPIS platform.

“To be our chagrin, universities are still being paid through IPPIS platform which ASUU has consistently rejected because it erodes the autonomy of our universities. We are also worried that some elements inside and outside government may be planning to undermine the government’s directive in view of the ambiguity that currently surrounds the transition out of IPPIS.

“It is also sad that government has consistently deprived our members of their promotion arrears, particularly those on the professional cadre from 2018 to 2024. Also, in the aftermath of the 2022 struggle, the government claimed to have budgeted N170 billion which, of which N120 billion, to our understanding, was to address part of the outstanding Needs Assessment Intervention Fund, while the balance would go into an paying one of the agreed tranches of the EAA. Sadly, the government has not released any fund to the universities based on the understanding.

“Hitherto, ASUU remains resolute on its patriotic mission to reposition the university system in particular and educational system in general for a transformed nation.”