The Academic Staff Union of Universities has rejected agreements between the Federal Government and the United Kingdom on education, including plans to establish a campus of Coventry University in Nigeria.
ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna, stated the union’s position at a public lecture organised by the ASUU branch of Sa’adu Zungur University, warning that the move could undermine Nigeria’s higher education system.
He criticised the proposed campus, describing it as exploitative and inconsistent with the treatment of Nigerian students seeking education in the UK.
“They have denied Nigerians visas to study in the UK, yet they are coming here to establish universities and take our money, this is another form of colonialism, and ASUU will strongly oppose it,” Piwuna said.
The ASUU president also argued that some foreign universities were expanding into countries like Nigeria due to financial pressures and declining international student enrolment, insisting that local institutions should instead be strengthened.
He further stressed the need to preserve the committee system in Nigerian universities, warning against excessive concentration of powers in the offices of vice-chancellors.
On lecturers’ welfare, Piwuna issued a four-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement the agreed new salary structure, warning of possible union action if the demand is not met.
“We cannot continue to wait indefinitely for the implementation of the new salary structure. If at the end of this month nothing is done, they will hear from us,” he added.
