FUTA Lecturers Call for Improved Funding of Universities
Lecturers at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), through the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have raised alarms over inadequate funding of Nigerian universities, particularly criticizing the federal government for consistently allocating less than recommended percentages to education in national budgets.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Lecturers at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, have voiced their concerns over the inadequate funding of public universities in Nigeria, urging religious and political leaders to intervene and appeal to President Bola Tinubu for improvements in university education.
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Under the banner of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), FUTA branch, the lecturers lamented the longstanding neglect of university education by the Federal Government, particularly in budgetary allocations.
During a rally organized on the university campus, ASUU FUTA branch chairman, Pius Mogaji, criticized the government for consistently allocating less than 10% of the national budget to education over the past decade. He highlighted ASUU's advocacy for a higher budgetary allocation based on international standards, citing the United Nations' recommendation of 15% to 20% for developing countries like Nigeria.
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Mogaji expressed dismay over recent government decisions to reduce resources available for TETFund intervention, diverting funds to the Students Education Loan Scheme instead, which he argued contradicts the original purpose of TETFund.
The union outlined several demands, including the release of withheld salaries, unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical and part-time appointments under IPPIS, and the allocation of funds for university revitalization as stipulated in the 2023 Federal Government Budget.
Despite ongoing engagements with government representatives, Mogaji emphasized that little progress has been made in addressing these demands, prompting ASUU to seek intervention from national leaders, including President Tinubu, to avert potential strikes and resolve the university system's challenges.
ASUU recently appealed directly to Tinubu through a letter dated June 20, 2024, highlighting unresolved issues from the 2020 Memorandum of Action and stressing the urgent need for intervention to prevent disruptions in academic activities.
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The call by FUTA lecturers underscores growing concerns within the academic community regarding the state of university education in Nigeria, signaling a critical need for sustainable funding and comprehensive reforms.
