By Ladi Dapson, Maiduguri
The Academic Staff of Universities (ASUU) University of Maiduguri Chapter has unequivocally condemned the N150,000 retirement benefit for professors and other senior staff, describing it as an insensitivity and national disgrace to their collective intelligence.
Speaking shortly after protests at the institution’s campus, Abubakar Mshelia, the UNIMAID Chairman of the ASUU, warned that a country that treats its intellectuals with such disdain cannot expect meaningful progress.
Mahelia blasted the federal government that despite announcing a moratorium, the same government recently approved nine new private universities without sustaining the existing ones.
He said “Professors who have dedicated over four decades to educating generations retire on a meagre #150,000 under the contributory pension scheme, while inflation exceeds 21 percent. This is not just a labour issue; it is a national disgrace. A country that treats its intellectuals with such disregard cannot expect meaningful progress”
While lamenting the lack of concern for staff welfare, he said “our members continue to suffer from unpaid salary arrears amounting to but not limited to 25-35 percent wage reward. Promotion arrears, legally due to academics who earned them through merit, remain unpaid in many institutions for over four years” he added
He further condemned the recent approval of nine new private universities by the Federal government, calling it an act of “hypocrisy”
“Despite announcing a moratorium, the government recently approved nine new private universities, an act of hypocrisy driven by vested interests. ASUU demands an immediate freeze on the establishment of new universities until existing ones are adequately funded and staffed”
According to Mshelia, the Union rejected the Federal government Tertiary Institutions Staff Support loan scheme, the non-remittance of third-party deductions, government refusal to sign the renegotiated 2009 agreement, and the renaming of the University after late President Muhammadu Buhari
“The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Maiduguri Chapter, unequivocally condemns the recent unilateral decision to rename the University of Maiduguri as Muhammadu Buhari University. This action is not only provocative, it is a blatant violation of the principle of university autonomy and a grave affront to the values of academic freedom, institutional integrity, and democratic governance” he stated
According to him, ASUU has exercised extraordinary restraints, using letters, attending meetings, and choosing dialogue over confrontation.
“Yet, the government responds with silence and neglect, let it be known, strikes are never our first choice, but our last resort when all avenues of negotiation are exhausted,” he said
He warned that “If the government continues on this path, industrial action will be inevitable, and responsibility will rest squarely on its shoulders.” he said.
