ASUU Condemns FG’s Dissolution of University Governing Councils, Urges Tinubu to Reverse Decision

Ilesanmi AdekanbiAugust 11, 2023

1 minute read

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed its displeasure over the federal government’s action of dissolving the governing councils of universities in the country.

The union said that the decision was a violation of the university autonomy and the laws establishing the institutions. The union appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reverse the decision and respect the tenures of the councils, which were duly constituted by law.

The National Vice Chairman of ASUU, Comrade Christopher Piwuna, who is also a lecturer at the University of Jos, made this appeal while delivering a paper at a ceremony organised to honour some retiring lecturers at the Joseph Sarwuaan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM), formerly known as the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM), in Benue State.

Piwuna said that it was unacceptable for the federal government to dissolve the governing councils and transfer their functions to the Federal Ministry of Education or the National Universities Commission (NUC) without following due process.

He said that such a move could have negative implications for the academic standards and integrity of the universities.

He warned that some unscrupulous vice chancellors and ministry officials could take advantage of the situation and exploit the universities if the federal government did not respect the laws governing the institutions. He urged President Tinubu to intervene and restore the dignity and autonomy of the universities.