The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced that it will not remain passive while both the federal and state governments undermine the university system in Nigeria.
Professor Ayo Akinwole, the ASUU Chairman of the University of Ibadan chapter, made this statement while leading a protest with other union members against the challenging working conditions faced by lecturers.
During the protest on Thursday, Akinwole stressed that the union is committed to protecting university education in Nigeria and preserving knowledge for future generations.
He condemned the fraudulent deduction of funds intended for unions and cooperative societies, which have not been remitted since 2020.
“Members of the Union subscribe to unions, cooperatives, and other societies within their respective universities, where they pay monthly check-off dues, deductions, contributions, etc. Following labor laws and industrial best practices, these third-party deductions are deducted directly from their salaries and should be remitted to the beneficiary unions and societies.
“Due to the challenges with IPPIS, these dues have been deducted by IPPIS operators since February 2020, yet many of these deductions have not been remitted. This is not only sabotage but also fraudulent.”
“We cannot allow the university system in Nigeria to be destroyed by successive transient governments. It is our historic duty as intellectuals to defend university education in Nigeria and protect knowledge production for future generations.”
ASUU Chairman of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Babatunde Lawal, added his voice, urging both federal and state governments to prioritize funding for tertiary education.
He added that the union’s demands are legitimate, stressing ASUU’s ongoing rejection of IPPIS.
“IPPIS violates university autonomy and the Acts establishing universities. In addition to this illegality, IPPIS is notorious for its fraudulent practices that impose undue hardship on Nigerian academics and disrupt university operations in payroll management.
