The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised concerns over alleged mismanagement of funds and weak governance structures in some Nigerian universities, warning that the trend is undermining accountability, institutional stability and academic standards.
The ASUU President, Prof. Chris Pinuwa, voiced the concerns on Wednesday in Abuja at the unveiling of the 2025 re-negotiated agreement between the Federal Government and the union.
Pinuwa said weak governance frameworks in some institutions had continued to affect the effective utilisation of resources, despite statutory provisions for university autonomy.
“Although university autonomy is recognised in principle and partially entrenched in law, its implementation remains weak in practice,” he said, noting that persistent external interference had continued to erode the independence of university administration.
According to him, arbitrary dissolution of governing councils and interference in the appointment of vice-chancellors have become recurring challenges, undermining meritocracy and institutional stability.
Pinuwa warned that such interventions often result in conflicts, litigation and staff polarisation, thereby disrupting academic activities and effective management within the university system.
He also expressed concern over what he described as a creeping culture of prolonged acting vice-chancellorships, calling for closer scrutiny of governing councils and principal officers to safeguard the integrity of universities.
On research funding, the ASUU president stressed that adequate investment in research and development was critical to the relevance and global competitiveness of Nigerian universities.
He disclosed that research funding formed a key component of the 2025 ASUU–Federal Government agreement, noting that Nigerian universities had suffered from inadequate research support for decades.
“It was agreed that the National Research Council Bill shall be forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration,” Pinuwa said.
“The proposed bill shall provide for at least one per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as funding for research, innovation and development. I believe members of the National Assembly will expedite action on its passage.”
Pinuwa also criticised promotion practices in some newly established federal universities of education, alleging that due process and established standards for professorial appointments were being compromised.
He warned that the conversion of colleges of education to universities should not lead to a dilution of academic standards, and urged vice-chancellors of the affected institutions to urgently review such promotions to protect the integrity of the university system.
