The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (ASUU-UNIZIK) chapter, held a solidarity rally on Tuesday to support branches nationwide facing victimization.
At the ASUU-UNIZIK Secretariat complex, Chairperson Prof. Kingsley Ubaoji addressed journalists, emphasizing that the rally aimed to urge the Federal Government to cease its intimidation and harassment of academic staff at public universities.
Prof. Ubaoji highlighted the rally’s purpose: to draw national attention to the ongoing victimization of lecturers. “The situation has reached a critical point,” he said. “As a union, we can no longer remain silent. The National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU has declared today, September 10, 2024, as Victimized Lecturers’ Day, a day to stand in solidarity with our colleagues unjustly persecuted in Nigerian universities.”
He asserted ASUU’s stance on workers’ right to industrial action for improved working conditions, which should not be criminalized. “This right, protected by national and international labor laws, must be upheld. The exploitation and victimization of lecturers must end,” he said.
ASUU-UNIZIK expressed profound disappointment with the failure of university Visitors to address management crises and staff victimization. Affected institutions include:
- Kogi State University (KSU), Anyigba
- Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki
- Lagos State University (LASU), Ojoo
- Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma
- Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO)
- Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, Anambra State
In these institutions, ASUU-UNIZIK members face illegal terminations, salary withholding, promotion denial, and other oppressive treatments. “This is unacceptable,” Prof. Ubaoji stated.
He specifically criticized Kogi State University for its seven-year delay in resolving cases and condemned the prolonged court cases at LASU, where staff have faced unlawful dismissals for over five years. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said, noting the severe hardships caused by these delays.
Prof. Ubaoji also expressed dissatisfaction with Lagos State Government’s failure to release the White Paper on the LASU Visitation Panel after more than two years. He urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to address LASU’s issues and reinstate the dismissed colleagues immediately.
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Further concerns were raised about Ebonyi State University (EBSU), where despite a court ruling in favor of a staff member, the university has appealed the decision, delaying justice. “We appreciate the Nigeria Labour Congress’s intervention but call on university Visitors to resolve these issues promptly and rejuvenate their institutions,” he added.
The rally concluded with a call for Governing Councils and Visitors of state universities to enforce laws governing their institutions and curb the unchecked tyranny of Vice-Chancellors. “Today is dedicated to showing solidarity with persecuted members nationwide, acknowledging their struggles, and demanding justice,” Prof. Ubaoji concluded. “We will continue to fight until justice is served.”
