The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised alarm over alleged mismanagement of funds and persistent governance weaknesses in Nigerian universities, warning that the situation is eroding accountability, stability, and academic standards.
ASUU President, Professor Chris Pinuwa, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during the unveiling of the 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and the union.
According to Pinuwa, weak governance structures in some universities have continued to hinder the effective utilisation of resources, despite the existence of legal provisions granting universities autonomy.
“Although university autonomy is recognised in principle and partially entrenched in the law, its practical implementation remains weak,” he said, noting that this has allowed continuous external interference in university administration.
The ASUU president identified the arbitrary dissolution of governing councils and interference in the appointment of vice-chancellors as recurring problems.
“Arbitrary dissolution of governing councils and interference in the appointment of vice-chancellors have become recurring challenges which undermine meritocracy and erode institutional stability,” Pinuwa stated.
He explained that such actions often result in conflicts, litigation, and staff polarisation, all of which disrupt academic activities and effective management within universities.
Pinuwa also expressed concern over what he described as a growing culture of prolonged acting vice-chancellorship in Nigerian universities, calling for closer scrutiny of governing councils and principal officers to protect institutional integrity.
On research funding, the ASUU president stressed that adequate funding is essential for the relevance and global competitiveness of Nigerian universities.
“Nigerian universities have faced paucity of research funding for a very long time, and I’m glad that research and development funding is a component of the 2025 ASUU-FG re-negotiated agreement,” he said.
He disclosed that it was agreed that the National Research Council (NRC) Bill would be forwarded to the National Assembly.
“The proposed bill shall provide for at least one per cent equivalent of GDP as a source of funding for research, innovation and development. It is my belief that, as stakeholders, members of the National Assembly will expedite action in the passage of the bill,” Pinuwa added.
