Education expert, Dr. Joseph Otuagoma, has called on the Federal Government to fully implement its agreements with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end the recurring strikes affecting Nigeria’s public universities.
Speaking to reporters in Lagos, Otuagoma expressed concern over the frequent industrial actions in the higher education sector, describing them as a major reason for declining trust in public universities.
“In Nigeria, people are no longer surprised when universities go on strike. A four-year programme now often takes six or seven years,” he said, noting that prolonged strikes negatively impact students’ mental health and future prospects.
He stressed that the cycle of government making promises without fulfilling them must stop, urging authorities to honour existing agreements with university unions.
Last week, ASUU suspended a two-week warning strike that started on October 13, 2025, following renewed assurances 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 meet key demands, including the review of the 2009 agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and allowances, and disbursement of revitalization funds.
Otuagoma also highlighted the urgent need for increased funding for educational infrastructure such as laboratories, libraries, and technology-driven classrooms.
“There are computer science students who have never worked on a computer. How can we expect quality graduates in such conditions?” he asked.
While acknowledging the contributions of private schools in bridging gaps caused by inadequate public funding, he emphasised that Nigeria must treat education as a national priority.
“No nation can rise above the quality of its education system. If we invest in teachers, infrastructure, and innovation, the results will speak for themselves,” he said.
He added that the success of private institutions in delivering quality education shows that progress is possible when there is accountability and sustained investment.
