ASUU decries FG inability to release over N50bn to universities

By AHMAD TIJANI

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has once again decried the Federal Government insincerity to honour its pledges to inject over N50 billion into the nation’s universities.

The breakdown of the lump sum according to the union is N30 billion as a tranche of N220 billion for the revitalization of public universities, and N25 billion Earned Academic Allowance (EAA).

Professor Abdulkadir Muhammad, Zonal Coordinator, ASUU, Kano chapter who spoke on the crisis of confidence between the federal government and the Union lamented that the development came barely 222 days after the expiration of the timeline agreed by both parties.

Kano zone comprises Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University, Kano, Kaduna state university, Kano University of Technology, Wudil, Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, and Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa.

Professor Abdulkadir explained that the inability of the federal government to walk the talk further exposed its insincerity to revitalize Nigerian public Universities.

The soft-spoken University Don who was allegedly assaulted by the DSS couple of weeks ago warned that the Union may be forced to adopt the language the federal government understand.

He said, ” Nigerians should hold the government responsible for any disruption of academic calendar in Nigerian universities”.

Professor Abdulkadir, however, assured that ” the Union is always ready to deploy appropriate measures to salvage the Nigerian University system from rot and decay.

He noted that “ASUU firmly believes in the use of qualitative education to liberate and transform Nigeria from its current state of underdevelopment “. (Saturday Independent)