The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Abuja zone has expressed grave concerns over the alleged mistreatment of its members in various public universities across Nigeria. The union denounced what it termed an alarming trend of victimization, which includes suspension, denial of promotions, withholding of salaries, wrongful dismissals, and suppression of union activities.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Salihu Muhammed Lawal, the Abuja Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, warned that if these issues are not addressed, they could lead to significant industrial unrest within the academic sector.
“We are deeply troubled by this troubling trend. It is clear that there is a growing issue within our public universities that threatens to cause unnecessary and preventable industrial discord. The union will not idly stand by while visitors and certain overzealous administrators undermine the principles of academic excellence and the rule of law as enshrined in university Acts and the Federal Constitution,” Lawal stated.
The issue of victimization, according to Lawal, initially surfaced at Kogi State University, Anyigba, where misunderstandings about the university system led to conflicts between the administration and the union. This discord escalated when the university administration began infringing on academic staff rights, culminating in a strike action and the dismissal of 120 staff members.
Similar incidents have been reported at other institutions, including Lagos State University (LASU), Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (AAUE), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
Lawal highlighted specific issues:
- At LASU, there has been severe repression of union activities and victimization of union leadership.
- EBSU has experienced political interference leading to inhumane treatment of staff, with a group called ‘The Divine Mandate Professors’ reportedly usurping the university’s Governing Council’s powers.
- COOU has seen persecution of union members and significant disruption of union activities.
ASUU is calling on all stakeholders, including university visitors and administrators, to address these pressing issues promptly to prevent further deterioration of the situation on campuses.
