IN a statement signed by Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, its National President, the Academic Staff Union of Universities has demanded the exclusion of universities from the list of agencies required to remit 40 percent of their Internally Generated Revenue to the government.
During its National Executive Council meeting at the Kaduna State University, Kaduna, ASUU asserted that universities do not operate as revenue-generating agencies. The fees paid by students are intended to provide essential educational tools, not generate revenue.
The NEC meeting, held from November 11 to November 12, 2023, addressed issues impacting the university system and the country. Osodeke argued that deducting 40 percent of IGR from universities would impoverish the university system.
Addressing the issue, Osodeke said, “NEC reviewed the implications of the recent directive to federal universities to remit 40 per cent of their Internally Generated Funds to the coffers of the government. NEC condemns the directive in its entirety because it would further impoverish and emasculate the Nigerian university system.”
Furthermore, ASUU expressed concerns over the refusal of the Accountant General’s office to pay promotion arrears to its members since 2018. The union also urged the government to release all withheld salaries from the 2022 strike action.
The statement also highlighted NEC’s apprehension about the victimization of its members at various universities. It commended the steadfastness of the affected colleagues and called for respect of their fundamental human rights.
Moreover, NEC condemned the National Universities Commission’s persistent efforts to enforce the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards on Nigerian universities, despite opposition from university Senates and academic/professional associations.
ASUU also reiterated its objection to the wrongful dissolution of Governing Councils of universities without adherence to the established laws and condemned the government’s failure to honor agreements, particularly the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement.
