The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the University of Ibadan has asked the federal government to work on giving Nigerians better living conditions. On June 11 2024, the ASUU chairman, Professor Ayo Akinwole, said the government should promote activities that will help the Nigerian economy.
In a statement for Democracy Day, Professor Akinwole said that even after 25 years of democracy, most Nigerians still do not enjoy the benefits of democracy. He said many of the problems from military rule are still seen in Nigeria today.
Professor Akinwole said that six years after the Buhari government declared June 12 as Democracy Day, celebrating the day is not enough without real democratic leadership.
He said the government has a duty to provide decent classrooms for children, not make them study under trees or sheds. Children have a right to proper laboratory and classroom facilities. Without these, they will be left behind by other countries in the future.
The ASUU chairman said basic things like constant electricity, good healthcare, good roads, and a well-funded education system are still not available to most Nigerians. He also said the principles of liberty and equality, which democracy is based on, are missing in Nigeria.
Professor Akinwole gave examples of how liberty is lacking, like the government using security forces to stop peaceful protests by citizens.
He said equality, which is a human right in Nigeria’s constitution, is also not being followed. For example, equal access to education is not guaranteed, leading to high illiteracy rates and many out-of-school children.
In the education sector, Professor Akinwole said public universities continue to suffer under democratic governments. Instead of supporting ASUU’s call for better funding, politicians focus on creating new universities for electoral gains. This puts stress on funds meant for existing universities.
He urged President Tinubu’s administration to stop creating more universities and focus on properly funding and developing the existing ones. Nigeria needs universities that can solve the country’s problems and compete globally.
Professor Akinwole said a draft bill on this issue was submitted to the National Assembly, but it was not acted upon. He wants the new government to prioritize funding for federal and state universities, where 95% of students are enrolled.
