The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised concerns over alleged mismanagement of funds and governance lapses in some universities across the country, warning that the situation is undermining accountability, stability and academic standards in the system.
The ASUU President, Prof. Chris Pinuwa, expressed the concerns on Wednesday at the unveiling of the 2025 re-negotiated agreement between the Federal Government and the union in Abuja.
Pinuwa said weak governance structures in some universities had continued to affect the effective utilisation of resources, despite the recognition of university autonomy in law. He noted that the practical implementation of autonomy remained poor, resulting in persistent external interference in university administration.
According to him, the arbitrary dissolution of governing councils and undue interference in the appointment of vice-chancellors have become recurring issues, undermining meritocracy and institutional stability.
He said such interventions often lead to conflicts, litigation and staff polarisation, thereby disrupting academic activities and effective management of universities.
The ASUU president also expressed concern over what he described as the growing culture of prolonged acting vice-chancellorships, calling for increased scrutiny of governing councils and principal officers to safeguard institutional integrity.
On research funding, Pinuwa emphasised that adequate funding was essential to the relevance and global competitiveness of Nigerian universities. He disclosed that research and development funding formed a key component of the 2025 re-negotiated agreement with the Federal Government.
He noted that Nigerian universities had long suffered from inadequate research funding, adding that the agreement included a provision for the National Research Council Bill to be forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration.
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According to him, the proposed bill would provide for at least one per cent of the Gross Domestic Product as a source of funding for research, innovation and development.
Pinuwa expressed confidence that members of the National Assembly would expedite action on the passage of the bill.
The ASUU president also criticised promotion practices in some newly established federal universities of education, alleging that due process and established standards for professorial appointments were being compromised.
He warned that the conversion of colleges of education to universities should not result in the erosion of academic standards, and called on vice-chancellors of the affected institutions to urgently review such promotions to protect the integrity of the university system.