The Academic Staff Union of Universities has expressed deep concerns about Nigeria’s systemic governance failures, citing institutional weaknesses, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and widespread corruption as major obstacles to national development.
The union sounded the warning during its 23rd National Delegates Conference at the University of Benin’s Ugbowo campus, where new leadership elections were scheduled.
ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, delivered a scathing assessment of Nigeria’s governance landscape, highlighting three critical failures:
Governance Deficits
“The lack of inclusiveness, transparency and accountability in governance continues to undermine national progress,” Osodeke stated, noting these deficiencies persist across all government levels.
Economic Policy Failures
The professor criticized the government’s neoliberal economic policies for worsening living conditions: “These policies breed apathy, cynicism, self-help, criminality and mass migration (japa) among our youth.”
Despite Nigeria’s abundant resources, Osodeke lamented the paradox of underdevelopment, “With its vast oil reserves, agricultural potentials and energetic young population, the country should be a leader in global development. Instead, it wrestles with high unemployment, inflation, a depreciating currency and rising poverty rates.”
Neglect of Informal Sector
Osodeke particularly decried policy neglect of the informal economy that sustains millions: “When policies are made, they tend to hinder growth and discourage patriotic operators in informal sectors who are struggling to survive amid multiple taxes, energy costs and communication charges.”
While acknowledging potential in technology and agriculture diversification efforts, the ASUU president questioned government commitment, “These initiatives require bold, long-term commitment and substantial infrastructure development.”
Osodeke framed Nigeria’s talent exodus as a policy failure, “The massive brain drain, as professionals and young graduates seek better opportunities abroad, is a direct indictment of the state of national affairs and the unmitigated failure of the ill-informed and inappropriate reforms.”
The union leader painted a grim security picture, listing:
– Boko Haram insurgency (North-East)
– Banditry (North-West)
– Kidnapping (South)
– Secessionist agitations (South-East)
– Jungle justice incidents (nationwide)
“No region is immune,” Osodeke stressed, demanding urgent security interventions.
Former INEC Chairman Prof. Atahiru Jega, also speaking at the event, emphasized education’s pivotal role:
“The struggles to improve education, expand educational opportunities, provide quality education and protect the interest of workers in academic institutions are fundamentally struggles for nation-building.”
Jega joined calls for comprehensive education reforms and systemic corruption eradication to unlock Nigeria’s potential.
The conference comes amid lingering tensions between ASUU and the federal government over unmet demands from previous strike actions, with the union maintaining its stance as a watchdog for national development.