ASUU Protests Victimization Of Lecturers, Demands Reinstatement Of Sacked Members

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Calabar Zone, comprising institutions such as Ebonyi State University, Abia State University, Akwa Ibom State University, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, University of Calabar, Cross River University of Technology, and the University of Uyo, has protested against the ongoing victimization of its members across universities in Nigeria, including Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Kogi State University (KSU), and Lagos State University (LASU).

The union stated that its members are being denied their rightful statutory and legal entitlements in several universities, subjecting them to victimization, intimidation, and undue deprivation.

Members of ASUU in the Calabar Zone took to the streets of Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Monday, protesting the mistreatment of their colleagues.

In a communiqué issued after the protest, the union lamented that members were owed several months’ salaries. They highlighted instances where members who spoke out about the situation were arrested and prosecuted.

The communiqué, titled Lecturers’ Victimization Day, was signed by Comrades Happiness Uduk (ASUU-Calabar Zone), Slessor Mbah (Chairperson, ASUU-ABSU), Inyang Udosen (Chairperson, ASUU-AKSU), Ikechuku Igwenyi (Chairperson, ASUU-EBSU), Patrick Ushi (Chairperson, ASUU-CRUTECH), Peter Ubi (Chairperson, ASUU-UniCal), and Opeyemi Olajide (Chairperson, ASUU-UniUyo). They condemned the suspension, harassment, and intimidation of union members, stating it is crippling university education in Nigeria.

The communiqué read, in part: “We stand in solidarity with our EBSU branch and protest the unjust victimization of our members. We are deeply concerned by the ongoing intimidation of those fighting for positive change in Nigerian universities.

“We are here to tell the world that enough is enough. ASUU, as a key stakeholder in the university system, cannot be silenced, despite attempts to undermine us. It’s as though our leaders were sent to market with salt, only for a rainmaker to be called to bring down the rains.”

The Union stressed that the situation is dire at institutions like Ebonyi State University, Kogi State University, and Lagos State University, prompting the National Executive Council to declare today as Victimised Lecturers’ Day, an event to be observed annually.

The union also raised concerns about the illegal dismissal of some of its members.

“The ‘KSU 120’ refers to the 120 academic staff of Kogi State University who were unlawfully dismissed in 2017 for participating in a legitimate action advocating for better welfare. These staff members have faced untold hardship, including the loss of salaries, eviction from their homes, and disruptions in their professional development. Tragically, four of our members – Comrades David T. Adamo, Noah Daluba, John Iyere, and Timothy Oshadare – have passed away during this struggle. We mourn these fallen heroes and continue to fight for justice in their memory.”

The union called for the reinstatement of all sacked members, noting, “It is disheartening to see university administrations and government officials treat public institutions like private enterprises, ignoring due process and established procedures. ASUU demands the immediate reinstatement of the 120 sacked members of KSU, as recommended by the White Paper of the Visitation Panel, to restore peace and industrial harmony at Kogi State University.”