•Union lauds govt’s ban on new public varsities
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed concern about what it called the poor pension package for its retired members.
The union’s National President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, said this while addressing reporters yesterday in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Piwuna said it was disturbing that the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2024 negatively impacted the welfare package of its retired members.
“Our retired colleagues continue to bear the brunt of the government’s unpopular policies, manifesting in the galloping inflation and rising cost of electricity, transportation, housing, food, and medication, amongst others.
“We are not pleased with the situation, where those who fought for the sustenance of our universities will be treated with disdain.
“A situation where a senior academic, who served for over 40 years, ends up with a N150,000 monthly salary is unacceptable in the current economic realities.
“Many of our retired colleagues are battling chronic conditions, taking care of their spouses, caring for their children and grandchildren with a paltry amount as a pension,” he said.
The ASUU national president announced that the union’s position for a university-based pension fund administration should address such an anomaly.
He urged the Federal Government to reverse the trend towards a better welfare package for retired lecturers.
Also, ASUU has hailed the Federal Government for placing a seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new public universities in Nigeria.
Piwuna described the move as long overdue.
“While commending the Federal Government, this is a matter ASUU has long advocated.
“For over a decade, we’ve raised concerns about the establishment of mushroom universities with no development plans,” he said.
Pinuwa recalled that ASUU’s previous appeals to halt the expansion had gone unheeded until now.
“We’ve watched universities become tools of political patronage. The moratorium is not only welcome but necessary,” he added.
The union leader said Nigeria currently has 339 universities: 72 federal, 108 state, and 159 privately owned.
“On average, each state and FCT have about nine universities. This number is outrageous,” he said, adding that more than 30 universities reportedly had zero admission subscriptions.
