An educationist, Dr. Joseph Otuagoma, has called on the Federal Government to honour its agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end the recurring industrial actions disrupting academic activities in public universities.

Otuagoma made the appeal while addressing journalists in Lagos, noting that Nigeria’s higher education sector has been consistently affected by labour crises, particularly frequent ASUU strikes, which have eroded public confidence in university education.

“In Nigeria, people are often surprised when a university completes an academic session without a strike. A programme that should last four years easily extends to six or seven,” he said.
“These disruptions not only delay learning but also affect students’ mental health and career progress. Long periods of idleness push many into depression or expose them to negative influences. It’s a national concern.”

He urged the government to keep to its promises and implement all agreements reached with university unions, stressing that repeated unfulfilled assurances have worsened the crisis.

“Each time ASUU threatens to strike, the government rushes to make new commitments it rarely fulfils. This cycle must stop,” Otuagoma emphasized.

ASUU had recently suspended a two-week warning strike, which began on October 13, 2025, after renewed commitments from the Federal Government and the National Assembly to address its demands.
The union urged the government to use the one-month suspension period to resolve outstanding issues, including the review of the 2009 ASUU–Federal Government agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances, and disbursement of the university revitalisation fund.

Otuagoma further appealed for increased investment in educational infrastructure, especially laboratories, libraries, and technology-driven classrooms.

“There are computer science students in some universities who have never handled a computer. How can such institutions produce competent graduates?” he asked.

He lamented the underfunding of public schools while acknowledging the growing role of private institutions in bridging the educational gap.

“Private schools have become an essential part of Nigeria’s education system. Even those who oppose them cannot deny that the government alone cannot meet the nation’s educational needs,” he stated.

“In some public schools, one teacher handles multiple subjects, and in rural areas, there are often no qualified teachers at all. Many schools rely on corps members who may lack the motivation to teach effectively,” he added.

Otuagoma stressed that Nigeria must prioritize education as a matter of national urgency.

“No nation can rise above the standard of its education system. Neglecting education will only produce ill-prepared graduates. But if we invest in teachers, infrastructure, and innovation, the impact will be visible,” he said.

He concluded that the success of private schools demonstrates that quality education is achievable when there is focus and accountability, urging the government to emulate such commitment in public institutions.