The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has frowned at the increasing numbers of first class graduates churned out annually by private universities in the country.
ASUU President Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke raised the concern at an event organised by the union in honour of Prof. Andy Egwunyenga’s tenure as the Vice-Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU) on Thursday, November 28, 2024.
The event was held at the DELSU campus in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.
Osodeke said if public universities adopt the same practice without regulation, it could lead to the decline of genuine academic pursuits.
According to him, primary and secondary schools nowadays are producing graduates with excellent grades with insufficient knowledge.
The ASUU President also decried what he called “the mass exodus” of skilled Nigerian workers to nations perceived to be offering better work and living conditions.
He said incidents like building collapse in the country indicated there were significant issues within the nation’s institutions.
Osodeke said: “The struggle for academics to enjoy a decent standard of living saw some measure of successes in the past when academics could sustain a comfortable life.
“The situation has changed; the unions must return to the frontline for a renewed phase of their struggle.
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“ASUU will consistently speak out against injustices and support fairness.”
An ASUU member, Prof. Omotoye Olorode, who spoke on the topic, “New University Curricula (CCMAS): Context and Matters Arising”, said the CCMAS functioned as an imperialistic mechanism aimed at disrupting the established academic structures in the country’s universities.
Olorode said this was designed to perpetuate a system, where Africans remain agricultural labourers to support the agricultural needs of developed nations.
He stated: “UNESCO recommends that 26 per cent of the nation’s budget should be allocated to education.
“Nigeria has never reached more than seven per cent, which reflects our stagnation and reluctance to facilitate growth in the education sector.”
He, therefore, congratulated the outgoing DELSU Vice-Chancellor for a job well done.
Responding, Egwunyenga expressed joy over the numerous accolades he received across Delta State.
He disclosed that his approach as vice-chancellor was influenced by the narratives found in Festus Iyayi’s book, ‘Demons and Monsters’.
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