The Ibadan Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised concerns over the victimization of more than 200 of its members across Nigerian universities.
According to the Zonal Coordinator, Professor Oyebamiji Oyegoke, union members have faced wrongful dismissals, withheld salaries for up to 28 months, and have been denied promotions for speaking out against administrative irregularities.
The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) was specifically accused of targeting staff who opposed the controversial award of a professorship to the former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami.
Other universities cited include Lagos State University (LASU), Kogi State University (KSU), and Ebonyi State University (EBSU). Professor Oyegoke highlighted that despite recommendations from visitation panels, the affected members have yet to be reinstated.
In Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), union members are reportedly unable to hold meetings as their branch secretariat has been locked. ASUU is calling on various civil society groups and opinion leaders to intervene and halt what they describe as ongoing attacks on university autonomy and academic freedom.
