Academic Staff Union of Universities Alleges Widespread Victimisation of Members in Nigeria

The Kano Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has condemned the alleged victimisation of its members in some universities in the zone, describing the development as a “gross violation” of university rules and regulations. According to Prof. Abdulkadir Muhammad, the Zonal Coordinator, the union is deeply disillusioned and saddened by the incessant victimisation, intimidation, harassment, and dehumanisation of its members.

The victimisation, according to Muhammad, is largely perpetrated silently by university administrations and, at times, openly endorsed by the chairmen of governing councils and visitors of affected universities. He alleged that the union’s members have been unjustly dismissed, suspended, and denied promotions, all for demanding better working conditions, payment of backlogged salaries and allowances, and adequate funding for the universities.

In Kogi State University, 120 members of ASUU have been dismissed in the last seven years, while in Lagos State University, the chairperson and vice chairperson were illegally dismissed in 2017 for insisting on due process. Similarly, in Ebonyi State University, the immediate past chairperson of the branch was suspended for convening a meeting of the union’s Ethics, Grievances, Conflict and Crisis Management Committee.

Muhammad also highlighted the case of the treasurer of the branch, who was dismissed for demanding that her well-deserved promotion be properly dated. The zonal coordinator expressed dismay over the travesty of justice in the judgement delivered against the union’s members, stating that the union will continue to explore all legal avenues to ensure reinstatement of the sacked members.

The union has also accused the government of refusing to release the White Paper of a visitation panel that absolved five ASUU leaders of any wrongdoing. The leaders were unconditionally reinstated, but the government’s refusal to release the White Paper has prevented the affected members from being reinstated.

The union is calling on university administrations, governing councils, and visitors to respect university laws and the freedom of assembly and association. It is also demanding an end to the victimisation of innocent intellectuals and their families, as well as the recall of illegally suspended members and reinstatement of those unjustly dismissed.

The alleged widespread victimisation of ASUU members is not limited to the universities mentioned above, but is also prevalent in many other public universities. The union is demanding that the government take immediate action to address these issues and ensure that the rights of its members are protected.