ASUU Threatens Strike Over VC’s Appointment Of ‘Diaspora Professors’

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has condemned the appointment of “Professors of Practice” by some vice chancellors of Nigerian universities.

The union described their action as undue interference by political actors, governing councils and some vice-chancellors in university administration.

Comrade Dani Mamman, zonal coordinator, ASUU Yola Zone, disclosed the union’s position during a press conference at Modibbo Adama University, Yola, yesterday.

Maman said the appointment of ‘Diaspora Professors’ should be based on individuals who have at least five years teaching experience in the university system, adding that the union was planning a fresh strike over the matter.

He explained that ASUU demands an end to political intrusion, emphasising that credibility, probity and independence were essential for effective university leadership.

The union also rejected the unilateral establishment of the National Research and Innovation Development Fund without its participation.

The union said it will resist any attempt to hijack or derail the national research and development agenda by the federal government.

It pointed out that the federal government/ASUU agreement, signed after eight years of negotiations, was under threat due to the government’s failure to inaugurate the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC), the body mandated to prevent bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensure full execution of the agreement.

ASUU also condemned the partial and selective implementation of salary components including Consolidated Academic Tool Allowances (CATA), Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) and Professorial Allowances (PA).

“Disturbingly, all state governors, as visitors to state universities in our zone, have refused to implement the new CATA salary, undermining the agreement and causing inequity among staff,” the union said.