The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has voiced strong concerns over the current state of Nigeria, stating that the nation’s challenges today are even worse than those faced in 1984.
ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, made these remarks during the 2024 edition of the ASUU State of the Nation Conference, held in Abuja on Thursday.
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The conference, themed “Nigeria in a State of General Crisis: The Search for a New Path to Development,” sought to address the country’s worsening economic and political climate, with a particular focus on finding sustainable solutions to restore growth and stability.
In his speech, Professor Osodeke criticized Nigeria’s governance, claiming it is increasingly dominated by foreign interests and benefiting only a select few.
He lamented that despite Nigeria’s abundant resources, the majority of its citizens continue to live in poverty. He called for a more equitable distribution of the country’s wealth to serve the needs of all Nigerians.
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Reflecting on Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary, Osodeke expressed disappointment that conditions in the country today are more dire than they were in 1984.
He linked Nigeria’s current difficulties to the failure of successive governments to address the resolutions from ASUU’s first State of the Nation Conference in 1984, which was held at the University of Benin.
The same issues highlighted back then, such as shortages of basic goods, failing infrastructure, mass unemployment, high inflation, and exploitation of the country’s resources by foreign companies, persist today.
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Osodeke emphasized that ASUU’s mission extends beyond advocating for better pay and conditions for university staff.
The union, founded in 1978, has long been focused on protecting and advancing the broader socio-economic and cultural well-being of the Nigerian people.
He noted that ASUU has been at the forefront of generating ideas for improved governance through its national conferences.
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Also speaking at the event, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by a deputy, praised ASUU for its consistent efforts to improve funding for universities and for its advocacy on behalf of Nigerian academics.
He acknowledged ASUU’s pivotal role in shaping the country’s educational landscape and contributing to national development.
ASUU concluded the conference by urging the government to take immediate action to address the nation’s crises and implement policies that would liberate Nigeria from both foreign and local exploiters.
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The union stressed the need for policies that would restore the dignity of the country and improve the welfare of its citizens.
