For over four weeks now, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the federal government have been in the news over the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and financial autonomy of Nigerian universities. Their inability to arrive at a mutual agreement on the matter has caused some strain in their relationship and is likely to result in a strike action if not properly managed. OLASUNKANMI OSO sampled the opinions of Nigerians on this matter. Their views:
Prince Ubochi
The issue of financial independence for universities, whether private or public, is a vital idea. Every university should be granted financial independence from the government in its desire to protect the huge investment of public funds in university education, internal management, decision-making, student admission, and the running of its academic programmer’s with little government’s influence. Government should only ensure that funds allocated to universities are well managed. Every government has a core responsibility to care for the welfare of its people. Universities should have 75 per cent control of their management, while the government serves as watchdog.
Kazeem Ibrahim
For public universities in the country to achieve optimal growth and meet their challenges, the federal government needs to grant total autonomy to them. Over the years, the government has been majorly in control, and we know what we have. Low funding, inconsistent budgets and corruption have characterised government control of these universities. When they cede total autonomy to ASUU, we could be assured it would end well if adequate checks and balances are put in place.
Momoh Charles
Financial autonomy is a two way thing. In as much it is good to grant Nigerian universities financial autonomy, could they pay their staff without running to the government? For probity and accountability, it is imperative for ASUU to enrol in IPPIS. This would go a long way in phasing out ghost workers and corruption in the ivory towers. However, the peculiarities in the university system may be eroded if the universities are not given free hand to operate.
Abdulfatai Sambo
Financial autonomy for universities is not in itself a bad idea. Undoubtedly, there is endemic corruption in the universities across Nigeria. A lot of money is being internally generated. Yet, it is difficult to know where the money goes. So, any system that would rid corruption and nepotism in Nigerian universities is a welcome development. ASUU should support government policies that would expose corruption in the system. Ideally, universities should be centres of excellence devoid of corruption and nepotism. In this situation, financial autonomy would not be a bad idea. But this is not the present situation. Perhaps, in the future, financial autonomy would be better when the war against corruption has been substantially won.
Rilwan Balogun
It is saddening that we are still at this stage of our democratic peregrinations. When you talk of financial autonomy, I think it is something that should be debatable. Perhaps, it’s because of the level of corruption in the country which has permeated every sector. Granting financial autonomy might not resolve the level of decayed infrastructure in our tertiary institutions. Our educational system is in a state of coma and only a proper management could revamp it. Nigeria’s 2020 budget to education is a paltry N691.07 billion, which is 6.7 per cent of the entire budget. So, financial autonomy might not be an option now, considering the level of pervasive corruption in our country.
Kponu Enikesomowo
Tertiary institutions in Nigeria have suffered decadence and the key factor is proper financing. Financial autonomy to Nigerian tertiary institutions is a good one and should be welcomed by the government. There has been many cases of government insisting there is not enough fund to run higher institutions to desired standards. This has implications which range from poor-learning conditions and strike actions. However, that does not mean government should not probe these institutions. The government should allow the autonomy, but be on constant probing of the institutions. ASUU is good. But, it could be more efficient and proactive. Other parties should be set up to prevent the scheme from being hijacked and to ensure efficiency of the scheme.
Babalola Ifedayo
How would tertiary education institutions function without financial autonomy? Government has been running these institutions for decades and it can be seen that nothing special has changed. If financial autonomy is granted to these universities, it would enable them to meet up with the world standard. However, it could be argued that some staff and officers who run these universities would take advantage of the autonomy to accumulate wealth for themselves. But, it could still be controlled by some bodies which would be put in place to checkmate the grants.
Iyanuoluwani Olofinbiyi
Financial dependence for tertiary education institutions is not something new. Nigerian tertiary education institutions depend on government for almost everything, and this has made them puppets in the hands of government. Refusal of government to grant financial autonomy to these institutions is not justifiable, because up till now, despite the fact that they currently provide for these institutions, no significant development and growth could be seen. Overdependence of these institutions on government makes our education system less recognised than those around the world. It is advisable the government grants financial autonomy to tertiary education institutions for the betterment of the education system of the country.