The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has faulted the Federal Government’s decision to approve licences for nine new private universities, questioning the rationale behind the move despite an earlier moratorium on establishing new tertiary institutions.
In a statement signed by its president, Christopher Piwuna, on Thursday, ASUU argued that if access to higher education was no longer a challenge, then granting additional licences to private operators was unnecessary.
“ASUU watched in disbelief as the Federal Government, after announcing a seven-year moratorium on new universities, proceeded to approve nine new private institutions. If access is no longer an issue, why is the NUC granting more licences?” the union queried.
The union stressed that while individuals have the right to establish private universities, education must be tightly regulated to maintain standards. It warned that unchecked expansion risks lowering academic quality, further hurting the global ranking of Nigerian universities.
Nigeria currently has 72 federal, 108 state, and 159 private universities—a total of 339 institutions, excluding polytechnics and colleges of education. ASUU described this as a “scandalous proliferation,” accusing successive governments of using new universities as tools for political patronage rather than genuine educational development.
The Federal Executive Council had on August 13 approved a seven-year suspension of new federal tertiary institutions, citing underutilisation of existing schools. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed that several universities run far below capacity, with some recording fewer than 2,000 students. In one northern university, he said, 1,200 staff cater to fewer than 800 students—a situation he described as wasteful.
ASUU noted that for over a decade it has warned against “mushroom universities” that lack proper planning and resources. It recalled the minister’s revelation that more than 30 universities had zero admission subscriptions, describing it as proof of government’s misplaced priorities.
The union reiterated that unless both public and private expansion is curtailed, Nigeria risks flooding the labour market with ill-prepared graduates and further devaluing its degrees internationally.
Welfare Concerns
Beyond the debate on proliferation, ASUU renewed calls for the government to address long-standing issues affecting universities and academics. These include the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, sustainable funding, revitalisation of universities, settlement of 25–35% salary arrears, and unpaid promotion arrears spanning four years.
The union also decried the plight of retired lecturers under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), saying they have been abandoned by the government.
“Sadly, the government has continued to turn a deaf ear to our concerns. Once again, it appears ASUU may be left with no choice but to embark on strike action to compel the Federal Government to act responsibly,” the statement added.
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