The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has delivered a harsh critique of the state of governance in Nigeria, condemning the nation as being in a “hopeless state” due to rampant corruption and poor leadership.
This criticism starkly contrasts with the “Renewed Hope” slogan promoted by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, made these remarks on Thursday at the 2024 edition of the ASUU State of the Nation Conference, held in Abuja.
Under the theme “Nigeria in a State of General Crisis: The Search for a New Path to Development,” the conference sought to address the country’s escalating challenges and propose solutions to restore hope and development.
Osodeke stressed that Nigeria’s governance is dominated by foreign interests and serves only a select few. He called for a comprehensive overhaul of the system, noting the irony of Nigeria’s wealth contrasted with the continued poverty of its citizens. He urged that Nigeria’s resources should be utilized for the common good.
“As we mark the nation’s 64th independence anniversary, it is alarming that the situation today is far worse than it was in 1984,” Osodeke remarked.
He emphasized that ASUU’s role extends beyond advocating for better conditions for its members, underscoring the union’s commitment to the broader socio-economic and cultural advancement of the Nigerian people.
ASUU, established in 1978 to champion these causes, has consistently organized national conferences to generate ideas for improved governance. Osodeke reflected on ASUU’s first State of the Nation Conference in 1984 at the University of Benin, drawing parallels between the economic crises of that era and today’s difficulties.
He lamented that the failure of successive governments to implement the resolutions from that 1984 conference has contributed to Nigeria’s current plight. Key issues raised at that time—such as shortages of essential goods and services, infrastructure decay, mass unemployment, high inflation, and the exploitation of Nigeria’s resources by foreign firms with local elites’ complicity—remain unresolved.
According to Osodeke, these problems have only deepened due to the entrenchment of a foreign-controlled governance system that primarily benefits external interests.
In his address, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by a deputy, commended ASUU for its relentless advocacy for better university funding and improved working conditions for academic staff. He recognized the union’s vital role in shaping Nigeria’s educational system and contributing to national development.
ASUU called on the government to urgently tackle the ongoing crises, emphasizing the need for solutions that will free Nigeria from the grip of both foreign and local exploiters. The union also stressed the importance of restoring the nation’s dignity and advancing the welfare of its citizens.
