The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is taking a stand today, Tuesday, with a rally in Lagos, in protest of the recent dismissal of five lecturers from Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo. The union, in a strongly worded statement released by its Owerri Zone, has condemned what it describes as the illegal termination of these lecturers’ employment, calling on Nigerians to stand in solidarity against the increasing victimisation of academic staff across several institutions in the country. The rally, which kicked off at 10:00 am, is part of a broader effort by ASUU to draw attention to what it views as a growing crisis within the Nigerian university system.
ASUU, in its statement, did not only single out LASU but also highlighted other universities where its members are facing similar challenges. According to the union, lecturers at institutions like Kogi State University (KSU), Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (AAUE) in Edo State, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) in Anambra State, and the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) in Imo State, have all been subjected to what it describes as targeted victimisation.
“Fellow Nigerians and compatriots, we are disheartened by the deliberate reluctance of the respective university administration governing councils and visitors of the stated universities to halt the spiralling victimisation of academic staff,” the statement reads, expressing deep concern over the punitive measures being meted out to those who, according to the union, are “standing for truth.”
The grievances outlined by ASUU are far-reaching, covering a wide spectrum of what the union views as oppressive actions aimed at silencing its members. These include outright dismissal from service, suspension from duty, exclusion from statutory meetings, denial of promotions, the deliberate withholding of salaries, and non-payment of promotion arrears. The union claims that these measures are being taken in retaliation against those who, in their pursuit of academic integrity, seek the truth, teach the truth, and defend it.
One particularly troubling case cited by ASUU is the situation at Kogi State University (KSU), Anyigba, where several members of the union have been locked in a seven-year battle for justice. “ASUU is particularly disturbed at the seeming travesty of justice in the judgment delivered against our members at Kogi State University, after seven long years of waiting!” the union declared. The case in question involves a group of lecturers who were dismissed from their positions back in 2019, sparking a lengthy and bitter dispute between the university’s management and ASUU.
Among those dismissed were key figures within the union’s KSU chapter, including its chairman, Isaac Oyewumi; vice chairman, Adebowale Adeyemi-Suenu; secretary, Dr. Tony Dansu; assistant secretary, Adeolu Oluwaseyi Oyekan; and treasurer, Oluwakemi Aboderin-Shonibare. The university’s management had accused these individuals of unauthorised removal, retention, distribution, or publication of official confidential documents, which they claimed justified the dismissal. However, the affected lecturers have consistently refuted these allegations, maintaining that they were wrongfully targeted for their involvement in union activities and their outspoken criticism of certain university policies.
ASUU’s frustration with the situation at KSU is emblematic of what the union views as a wider pattern of intimidation and victimisation within the Nigerian university system. The union contends that academic staff who dare to challenge the status quo or speak out against perceived injustices are being systematically silenced through dismissals, suspensions, and other forms of retribution. In response, ASUU has vowed to continue its fight to protect the rights of its members and to stand against any form of injustice or victimisation.
The rally at LASU, therefore, is not just about the plight of the five lecturers who were dismissed from the university; it is part of a larger battle for academic freedom and the rights of university staff across Nigeria. ASUU’s protest today is a public demonstration of its determination to confront what it sees as an assault on the integrity of the nation’s academic institutions. The union is calling on the public to support its cause, arguing that the victimisation of academic staff is not just an issue for lecturers, but one that affects the entire educational system and, by extension, the future of the country.
While the university management at LASU has yet to publicly respond to the protest, the rally has already drawn significant attention, with many observers noting that the grievances expressed by ASUU echo broader concerns about the state of higher education in Nigeria. The dismissal of the five lecturers at LASU has sparked widespread debate, with some accusing the university’s management of overreach, while others argue that the lecturers may have violated internal policies that justified their termination.
However, for ASUU, the issue goes beyond the specifics of this case. The union sees the dismissals as part of a troubling trend of undermining the autonomy and independence of academic staff. In its statement, ASUU pointed out that the university administrations across the country, in collaboration with governing councils and state visitors, seem to be engaging in a deliberate campaign to suppress dissent and silence those who refuse to tow the official line.
As the rally continues, many will be watching to see how both LASU’s management and the broader educational authorities in Nigeria respond. For ASUU, today’s protest is just the latest step in a long-running struggle for what it sees as the survival of academic integrity and the protection of the rights of university lecturers. The union’s leadership has made it clear that they will not back down and that they are prepared to continue their fight until justice is served for all affected members.
In the coming days, the impact of today’s rally will become clearer, but for now, it is evident that ASUU remains steadfast in its commitment to standing up against what it believes are unfair practices by the government. All eyes will be on the next step from the Union.
