NASU decries proliferation of private universities

THE Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has lamented the proliferation of private universities in the country, and their refusal to allow unionization in their various institutions.

Speaking during the National Executive Council (NEC), of NASU in Abuja, President of NASU, Comrade Chris Ani, decried the rate at which licenses are being issued to private individuals and organisations

Comrade Ani called on the Federal Government to ensure that the private universities operate in accordance with the Constitution of Nigeria and ensure that appropriate machinery is put in place to regulate them in order to maintain a standard.

The NASU president said: “We are alarmed at the rate at which the Federal Government is issuing licenses to individuals and private organizations to establish private universities. We hope that these licenses are being issued out of genuine concern that existing universities are not adequate for the number of students seeking university education and not politically motivated.”

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He added: “We also hope that appropriate machinery has been put in place for the regulation of these universities in order to maintain a standard. We call on the Federal Government to ensure that private universities operate in accordance with the constitution of the country and other extant Labour laws as well as International Labour Organization (ILO) convention that guarantees Freedom of Association, the right to form and belong to unions and the right to collective bargaining.”

On the situation in research sector of the economy, he pointed out that the union was appalled by the nonchalant attitude of the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe and other ministers, whose ministries supervise research institution in Nigeria.

He stated that the lukewarm attitude shown by the ministers on the issues bordering on the welfare and conditions of service of staff of the sector does not indicate that they are interested in research and development of the country.

He, therefore, called on the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, to act positively on their promise as contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) they signed with the unions.

He warned that the union can no longer guarantee industrial peace and harmony in the research institute sector.