November 16, (THEWILL) – The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Plateau State University chapter (PLASU), has vowed that it will do everything possible within the law, to resist any action or inaction on the part of the Federal Government that lower standards in Nigerian public universities, and render them unattractive to international scholars.
The Union notes that “the Federal Government may wish to assume that the resistance against its selfish interest in public university education is over”, as it vows that the Government’s hope of “ushering in an era of all privatised University system in the country, where only the rich and powerful shall be opportune to attend University education will never see the light of day.”
The Union also explained that its struggle as a Union “Is to protest the casualisation of Nigerian Universities Academics”, pointing out that the struggle is beyond the lies, the deceits, the half-truths, and mischievous diversions that are presented to the public.”
According to the academic body, “The real reason we are fighting is not the withholding or prorating of salaries. These are issues that were mischievously introduced by the deliberate acts of delaying negotiations and discarding agreements signed by committees set up by the same Government.
“The real issues are proper funding for public universities in Nigeria and proper remuneration and better working conditions to make Nigerian Universities attractive to foreign scholars.
“As it stands, many scholars with the discipline and aptitude for the work are leaving the country because of the very poor working conditions for academics.”
About the Author
