The Yobe State Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has kicked against the proliferation of State Universities across the country. The Union’s worry is anchored on fact that adequate funding is not made available to run the institutions.
This was stated by the Yobe State Chapter Chairman of ASUU, Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Karage.
He made this disclosure on Friday in in Damaturu, during a press briefing with journalists.
Speaking on the increasing proliferation of universities by State Governments, Karage said, “The situation of public universities in the country is disturbing. There has been an increase in the number of public universities created by Federal and State Governments. These are done with no sincere financial commitment to fund the universities.
“State Universities in this zone such as Adamawa State University, Mubi; Taraba State University, Jalingo; and Yobe State University, Damaturu, have cases of gross under funding.
“There is no genuine commitment of Governments in funding these institutions. Close to two decades, the budgetary allocation to education is disappointing. For example, in 2024, only 6.39 per cent was allocated to education in the Federal Government budget. And most of these were not released for implementation.”
Karage noted that other issues raised by the union included the huge backlogs of unpaid salaries and allowances. Increase in school fees. As well as failure on the side of Governments to implement various agreements reached with the union among others.
“ASUU rejects any attempt to increase school fees without any corresponding inputs from government to adequately fund education. The working class and other masses cannot afford it for now.
“Similarly, we rejected the students’ loan scheme, which to us, is an IMF/World Bank ideology. It is intended to cripple the future of our youths and bastardize our educational system. Instead of the loan, Government should give students study grants. Just as ASUU gives scholarships to students across the nation.”
Karage, however, stressed that the struggle to better university education is in the best interest of Nigeria and its people.
source: Daily Post
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