The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has accused the National Universities Commission, NUC, of hijacking the roles of university senate and departments in the development of academic curricula for students.
The union said this in a statement released during a press conference and rally held by its branch at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, MOUAU.
The conference was addressed by Professor Michael Ugwuene and Efe Osodeke, respectively, chairman and secretary of the MOUAU branch of ASUU. They said NUC, backed by the federal government, wants to provide 70 per cent of Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standard while allowing the university Senates to provide only 30 per cent of the curriculum.
ASUU described the situation as dangerous and unacceptable, noting: “Government, through its organ, the National Universities Commission (NUC) imposed Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) to Universities for the development of their curriculum, where NUC pre-packed 70% of the CCMAS contents, leaving the university senates, who are statutorily responsible for the academic programmes, to work out only 30%
While rejecting the imposition, ASUU alerted Nigerians that the encroaching actions of the NUC would further destroy university education in the country, if allowed to stand.
ASUU, which condemned the proliferation of private universities in the country, said it was affecting the quality of education in the country.
The union, which reaffirmed its rejection of Integrated Personal and Payroll information System (IPPS), said it was designed to victimise members of ASUU.
It also called upon the federal government to implement all negotiated agreements between it and ASUU, pay attention to the poor wages of university lecturers, and stop the politicisation of Earned Academic Allowance among other demands, without further delay.
ASUU therefore threatened that the nation’s academic industry will suffer ” serious consequences” if their demands are not met by the federal government.
Many students who witnessed the rally on campus expressed fear that another long strike may be embarked upon by ASUU.