Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has expressed his concerns over Nigeria’s education sector and the role of the new Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman.
Osodeke highlighted the need for a minister who understands the essence of universities and education and who has a vested interest in the welfare of Nigerian students. He emphasized that the minister should have family members within Nigeria’s education system, including primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions.
Speaking about the state of education in Nigeria, Osodeke criticized the insufficient funding allocated to the education sector. He pointed out that many other countries allocate a much larger portion of their budgets to education compared to Nigeria, highlighting the need for increased investment in the sector.
Addressing the issue of lecturers and educators seeking opportunities abroad, Osodeke mentioned that the children of those responsible for education often study outside the country. He emphasized that the country is losing a significant amount of revenue as Nigerians pay substantial amounts in tuition fees to foreign universities.
Osodeke criticized the previous administration’s handling of education funding, describing it as catastrophic. He highlighted the disparity between the funding allocated to universities and the extravagant allowances given to political leaders.
In terms of unity among university-based unions, Osodeke clarified that ASUU has never undermined or criticized other unions. He stressed that each union negotiates for its members and that accusations of hijacking allowances are misplaced. He encouraged other unions to fight for their members’ rights and not rely on the comparison with ASUU’s achievements.
The interview also touched on the politicization of appointments to university governing boards. Osodeke expressed concerns about the appointment of politicians to such positions, emphasizing that appointees should have a positive impact on the education system rather than seek personal gains.
Overall, the interview provides insight into ASUU’s perspective on the state of education in Nigeria and its expectations from the new Minister of Education.