N470bn allocation not enough to solve universities’ problems – ASUU, CONUA tell FG

Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and those of the Congress of University Academics, CONUA, have said the allocation of N470 billion in next year’s budget by the Federal Government is not enough to solve the problems confronting public universities in the country

According to the lecturers, what can be of help is collective bargaining which would lead to an agreement that would be religiously implemented by the parties concerned.

The unions spoke in reaction to the message of President Muhammadu Buhari to the recent convocation of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, where he said the amount had been included in next year’s budget and that it would hopefully put an end to industrial actions in public universities.

He was represented on the occasion by the Director of Academic Planning, National Universities Commission, NUC, Dr Abiodun Saliu.

The National Coordinator, CONUA, Dr Niyi Sunmonu, said even if such an amount was released, it would merely be a flash in the pan.

The ASUU Chairman, University of Ilorin, Prof. Moyosore Ajao, noted that government seems to relish in banding figures all about.