As the industrial action embarked by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) continued to drag amid federal government's persistent refusal to implement its agreement with the academic body, a don at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) has waded into the matter with scathing remarks at Nigerian politicians.

Dr. Laz Uzoechi, lecturer at the Department of Electrical Engineering FUTO, expressed sadness that the federal government had not given adequate attention to the nation's universities, but only bent on massaging the back of Nigerian politicians by increasing the number of existing high institutions across the country.

“Every politician in Nigeria wants to have a university in their village,” said Dr. Uzoeshi, while baring his mind on the crisis that paralyzed academics since February 14.

“If you go to the National Assembly now, there're not less than 250 requests for federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. And our lawmakers are granting these requests.

“This is madness,” he stressed with pains, reminding that the federal government had not been able to manage the already existing institutions yet was busy creating new ones.

Reacting to the call from some quarters that universities should be self-sustained, Dr. Uzoechi, who is also ChairmanBy Pastoral Council, St. Michael's Catholic Church Amakohia Uratta Owerri, said “There's no place in the world where universities fund themselves.

“This self-sufficiency thing is an erroneous idea many people habour in Nigeria and that's the reason our government continues to act in its ugly manner.

“So, my take on this matter is simple – If you're the owner of a university, it's also right you take up the responsibility of funding and as well providing infrastructure.

“When these are done, the lecturers can now use the basic infrastructure provided to look for Research Grant that will sustain what was already provided by the institution's owner.” The don, who further buttressed his point with a picture of what he termed an unfortunate recent scenario at FUTO, where his faculty was unable to attract an international Research Grant, due to its failure to “show sufficient equipment for the job,” observed that “there's growing competition among universities in the world and each university must show credentials before the world will listen to you.

He maintained that “before one talks about self-sufficiency, there must be basic facilities on ground, which include capital projects like hostels, equipment, subventions, among others.

Asked if there were plans for ASUU to mellow down on its demands for the sake of students, Dr. Uzoechi replied by regretting the lingering strike but noted that it would be called off when the “federal government does the needful.”

He also commented on the social situation of lecturers, lamenting that lecturers were no longer relevant in the country.

“How can somebody who is being owed salary since 2009 still be relevant in the society?, he asked, adding “most of us have refused to do nonsense, hence we no longer meet our basic needs. Yet we have our families to carter for.”

Dr. Uzoechi, who was recently elected President National Alumni Association FUTO, made his feelings known penultimate Saturday at the sideline meeting of Old Students, Owerri Chapter.

SOURCE - https://theleaderap..com/2022/09/ASUU-strike-futo-don-knocks-fg-says.html

He is looking at their own remuneration and not considering the hundreds of thousands of students that apply for admission annually. If they don't build more universities, should Nigerians keep traveling to Ghana and Benin Republic to study at unaccredited institutions just to have a degree?

The solution is for the FG to increase school fees mildly and encourage universities to generate funds through part time, distance learning and professional programmes, so they can contribute to the federation account. Universities should also be transparent in their financial dealings such that all monies realized from school fees, admission and special programs will not be siphoned by university dons.