By Our Reporter
The Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has condemned what it describes as systemic oppression and persecution of its members at several universities, allegedly perpetrated by institutional and state authorities.
The Union expressed concerns that these actions are detrimental to industrial peace and harmony within the academic community, as they undermine academic freedom and unity.
“Enough is enough of the victimization, illegal dismissals, repression, deliberate withholding of salaries, and persecution of our members at Lagos State University (LASU), Kogi State University (KSU), Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU),” the Union declared.
In a press release marking the Union’s first Victimized Lecturers’ Day in Benin City, Edo State, ASUU Benin Zone Coordinator Prof. Monday Lewis Igbafen highlighted that some members have faced illegal terminations, while others have had their salaries and promotions unjustifiably withheld.
During the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on August 17-18, 2024, at the University of Ibadan, ASUU resolved to observe September 10 each year as Victimized Lecturers’ Day to rally support and raise awareness about the struggles of affected lecturers in Nigerian public universities.
“We denounce the unjust sackings, salary withholdings, and repression of our colleagues at LASU, KSU, EBSU, AAU, FUTO, and COOU. The inaction of state governments and university administrations only exacerbates this injustice,” said Prof. Igbafen.
On this inaugural Victimized Lecturers’ Day, the Union stands in solidarity with its affected members, calling for an end to these practices and demanding the immediate reinstatement of wrongfully terminated colleagues. Prof. Igbafen stressed that continued victimization threatens the core values of universities, turning them into places of oppression instead of centers of knowledge.
The ASUU Zonal Coordinator urged federal and state governments to intervene decisively to prevent further damage to the academic environment. He specifically criticized the Lagos and Edo State Governments for not releasing the visitation panel reports from 2020 and 2021, which could have addressed the victimization and suffering of affected lecturers.
Prof. Igbafen also called for immediate action from the university administrations at EBSU, AAU, FUTO, and COOU, and their respective state and federal governments, to halt the ongoing victimization and resolve issues related to illegal sackings and salary withholdings.
The Benin Zone of ASUU includes the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU), Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECT), Delta State University (DELSU), Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), University of Delta (UNIDEL), Delta State University of Science and Technology (DSUST), and Dennis Osadebe University (DOU).