Eminent scholars, including Prof. Farooq Kperogi, Dr. Toper Fashola, a Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Professor Noguiemi, former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and Dr. Toper Fashola, have urged the federal government to tackle challenges facing Nigerian university lecturers.
They stated this at the monthly podcast “Diaspora Dialogues” hosted by Farooq, featuring various experts, including Dr. Toper Fashola and Prof Noguiemi, who provided insights on the economic implications and government’s role in addressing these issues.
The conversation covered topics such as academic values, governance challenges, funding concerns and the need for systemic change in Nigeria’s higher education system, with emphasis on improving university output and addressing issues like sexual harassment and brain drain.
They recommended that the government should review and adjust university lecturer salaries to be more competitive with regional standards, implement the 1992 and 2009 agreements signed with the ASUU and improve overall education sector funding and resources.
They urged ASUU to engage in collective bargaining with the government for enhanced remuneration and repositioning of universities, while the government should address the dehumanising conditions faced by university professors by improving their salaries. The scholars urged the government to also review and increase the salaries of primary and secondary school teachers.
Farooq discussed the remuneration of university lecturers in Nigeria, which he highlighted as one of the lowest in Africa. The discussion was prompted by Farooq’s column titled “Problem of Paying Peanuts to Professors,” which drew a response from Dr. Toper Fashola, a special advisor to the President on economic affairs.
Dr. Toper Fashola provided insights on the economic implications and government’s role in addressing the issue, while audience participation was encouraged, with options for questions via Zoom or Facebook live stream.
Professor Ogunemi explained the historical context of salary negotiations and agreements between ASUU and the government, highlighting past betrayals and the recurring nature of strikes.