ASUU Condemns Alleged Victimisation, Dismissal Of 200 Lecturers, Laments Withholding Of Salaries For 28 Months
The union also highlighted that the affected staff members have been denied salaries for the past 28 months.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has strongly condemned the dismissal of over 200 of its members, describing the move as a blatant act of victimisation against academics who participated in recent strikes.
The union also highlighted that the affected staff members have been denied salaries for the past 28 months.
During a press conference held on Sunday, ASUU’s Ibadan Zonal Coordinator, Professor Oyebamiji Oyegoke, accused the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, of targeting its members in retaliation for their opposition to the awarding of a professorship to Dr. Isa Pantami, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
Oyegoke criticised the university’s administration, alleging that the institution’s actions reflect a broader trend of undermining public universities through retaliatory measures against those who challenge administrative decisions.
The ASUU leader called for an immediate reversal of the dismissals and payment of the owed salaries, and emphasised that the actions are damaging to the integrity of higher education in Nigeria.
The union has raised concerns about the treatment of its members at several universities, including Lagos State University (LASU), Kogi State University (KSU), and Ebonyi State University (EBSU).
Oyegoke stated that members have faced unlawful suspensions, denied promotions, and withheld salaries for advocating for the rule of law and university autonomy.
He pointed out that despite a Visitation Panel’s recommendation for their reinstatement, the issue remains unresolved after seven years.
At Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), the branch secretariat is reportedly locked, preventing members from holding congress meetings, and salaries have been withheld for up to 12 months.
Similarly, at Ebonyi State University, the administration is appealing a court judgment that favoured the victimised members rather than implementing it.
The union is urging opinion leaders, traditional and religious figures, media, labour movements, student groups, and civil society organisations to advocate for the immediate reinstatement of wrongfully dismissed members and to halt all forms of victimisation.
Meanwhile, ASUU Yola Zone has strongly condemned the dismissal of approximately 120 academics from various universities who participated in the 2021 national strike.
ASUU Yola Zone Coordinator Dani Mammam listed the affected institutions, including the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Lagos State University, Ebonyi State University, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.
Mammam emphasised that these lecturers were exercising their right to protest for better working conditions, asserting that such dismissals violate human rights and academic freedom.
He demanded the immediate reinstatement of the dismissed lecturers and the payment of their withheld salaries.
