ASUU has condemned the victimization and illegal dismissal of lecturers across several Nigerian universities, citing cases of harassment, wrongful termination, and salary issues, and plans to hold a National Day of Solidarity on September 10, 2024, to support affected members.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has strongly condemned the alleged victimisation, intimidation, and illegal dismissal of its members in various public universities across Nigeria.
In a statement released by the Kano Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Professor Abdulkadir Mohammad, on Saturday, the union highlighted cases where university administrations failed to follow due process and disregarded regulations governing the Nigerian university system.
Citing examples, Mohammad mentioned institutions such as Kogi State University (KSU), Lagos State University (LASU), Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Ambrose Alli University (AAU), the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), where lecturers have been subjected to harassment and unjust dismissals.
He specifically noted that since 2017, 120 ASUU members in Kogi State University were unjustly dismissed for advocating improved working conditions and welfare.
“There has been the illegal dismissal of ASUU-LASU chairperson and vice chairperson in 2017 for demanding due process, and the dismissal of ASUU-LASU secretary and assistant secretary in 2019 for challenging wrongful promotions. Similar cases include the suspension of ASUU-EBSU chairperson and secretary for convening meetings,” he said.
Mohammad assured that ASUU would pursue all legal avenues to ensure the reinstatement of dismissed members and urged university authorities, governing councils, and state governors to reinstate suspended or dismissed staff.
He also called for the resolution of issues such as the denial of promotions, non-payment of salaries and arrears, and the need for universities to respect the fundamental rights of lecturers, including their freedom of association.
Additionally, ASUU’s Bauchi Zone expressed concern over the widespread mistreatment of its members in government universities, with Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, identified as the “epicenter” of these injustices. The Bauchi Zone, through its Coordinator, Prof. O. A. Timothy Namo, revealed that ASUU would observe a National Day of Solidarity on September 10, 2024, to stand with victimised members across the country.
Namo explained that branches and zones across Nigeria have been directed to organize programs and press briefings to raise awareness of the ongoing injustices, which include termination of appointments, salary withholding, denial of promotions, and exclusion from key meetings.
He emphasized that Ambrose Alli University, in particular, has become a focal point for such victimisation and called for immediate action to address these concerns.
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