The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised a strong alarm over what it described as a disturbing wave of mass resignations currently sweeping through Nigeria’s public universities. The union has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government to take immediate action to halt the trend before it completely cripples the nation’s tertiary education system.
In a fresh statement following its ongoing two-week warning strike, ASUU expressed deep concern about the rate at which both senior and junior academic staff members are quitting Nigerian universities in search of better opportunities abroad. According to the union, the exodus of talented lecturers is not only draining universities of experienced professionals but also threatening the very future of public higher education in the country.
ASUU Decries Neglect and Poor Working Conditions
Speaking on the issue, the Chairman of ASUU, University of Ibadan chapter, Dr. Adefemi Afolabi, lamented that government’s continuous neglect of lecturers’ welfare and the failure to fulfill previously agreed terms have worsened the morale of university workers nationwide.
He revealed that despite several negotiation rounds, the Federal Government has yet to sign the long-awaited renegotiated draft agreement prepared by the Professor Nimi Briggs Committee and later reviewed by the Yayale Ahmed Committee. The agreement, which was meant to address salary structures, research funding, and overall university autonomy, has remained in limbo for years.
Dr. Afolabi accused the government of playing “a waiting game” with ASUU by setting up committees that end up repeating the same discussions without any tangible results. This, he said, has eroded trust between the union and the authorities, leaving many academics feeling disillusioned and undervalued.
Lecturers Leaving in Droves: “The System Is Bleeding”
ASUU warned that the continuous exit of high-profile scholars and young academics is pushing Nigerian universities to a breaking point. Many professors, associate lecturers, and even newly employed assistant lecturers are reportedly resigning their positions, citing unbearable economic pressures, poor remuneration, and lack of motivation.
Dr. Afolabi explained that some lecturers, upon resumption of duty, become discouraged after realizing that their monthly earnings cannot sustain them or their families amidst the current economic realities in Nigeria. Many have chosen to relocate abroad, seeking better academic environments where their expertise and effort are adequately rewarded.
He noted that this situation has created a vacuum in teaching and research, with many departments struggling to fill the gaps left by those who have departed. In some cases, students now spend weeks without lectures because there are no available lecturers in their courses.
ASUU’s Warning to the Federal Government
The union emphasized that unless urgent action is taken, Nigeria’s public university system could collapse under the weight of poor staffing, demoralization, and unchecked brain drain. ASUU urged President Tinubu’s administration to demonstrate genuine commitment by addressing the following key issues:
| ASUU’s Major Demands | Current Challenges |
|---|---|
| Implementation of the renegotiated agreement | Government delays and repeated committee reviews |
| Improved salary structure for academic staff | Low pay compared to rising cost of living |
| Enhanced funding for universities | Insufficient budget allocation and poor infrastructure |
| Restoration of university autonomy | Government interference in internal administration |
| Better welfare and working conditions | Lack of facilities, poor housing, and insecurity on campuses |
ASUU noted that it is not enough for the government to make promises during negotiations; concrete steps must be taken to ensure lecturers’ welfare reflects the critical role they play in nation-building.
Impact on the Education Sector and National Development
Education experts have long warned that the continuous underfunding of universities is one of the major reasons Nigeria’s education system lags behind global standards. The mass resignations only worsen the problem, as the country loses not just teachers but also intellectual assets, research experience, and institutional memory.
Students are also at the receiving end. Frequent strikes, poor learning environments, and the absence of qualified lecturers have all contributed to declining academic performance and prolonged study durations. In some faculties, graduating students are being delayed because external examiners—who have also left the system—are unavailable.
If not addressed, analysts say the brain drain will lead to a shortage of qualified manpower in key sectors such as engineering, medicine, and technology. This could undermine the government’s plans for national development and economic diversification.
ASUU’s Call to President Tinubu
ASUU’s national leadership has appealed directly to President Tinubu to take a decisive stand by implementing the union’s long-standing demands. According to the body, the President’s intervention could signal a renewed commitment to education and restore confidence among Nigerian academics.
The union insists that halting the ongoing exodus of lecturers requires more than speeches—it demands strategic investment in staff welfare, research development, and infrastructure renewal. ASUU believes that only a government that prioritizes education can effectively compete in the global knowledge economy.
Students and Stakeholders React
Students and education stakeholders across the country have expressed concern over ASUU’s warning, noting that if the government fails to act, the two-week warning strike could escalate into a full-blown nationwide shutdown of universities.
Some student leaders described the situation as “a ticking time bomb,” stressing that each ASUU strike leaves a trail of academic disruption, financial losses, and emotional frustration among students and parents.
A Looming Crisis That Demands Urgent Solutions
Observers say that Nigeria’s tertiary education system is approaching a critical turning point. The combination of low pay, high inflation, poor facilities, and neglect of intellectual labor has made the academic environment increasingly unattractive. Without urgent reform, the current rate of lecturer resignations could leave Nigerian universities hollowed out and unable to compete globally.
ASUU’s message to the Tinubu administration is clear: prioritize the revitalization of public universities, fulfill outstanding agreements, and create an enabling environment where teaching, learning, and research can thrive.
Until these demands are met, the future of Nigeria’s public universities—and by extension, the nation’s youth—remains uncertain.
