The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan, Professor Ayoola Akinwole has said insufficient allocation of resources to education was reason the sector grappled with inadequate infrastructure, poor facilities and outdated curricula.
He added that poor allocation was also responsible for poor living conditions in hostels, decrepit academic buildings, deterioration of university infrastructure, affecting teaching and learning conditions and lack of support services for students.
Akinwole stated this while presenting the 556th inaugural lecture of the university entitled: “Aquaculture Engineering: Reconciling the Balance in The Triad Of Fish, Plants And Man.”
Speaking, Akinwole noted the need for the federal and state governments to increase their funding in the interest of the masses and Nigerian students.
He noted that poor funding of the education sector forced institutions to increase tuition fees making education unaffordable for many students.
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He noted that poor funding was also responsible for disputes over workers’ rights, salaries, and benefits, leading to strikes by academic and non-academic staff.
This is as he noted that allegations of corruption and mismanagement of funds rocked the education sector.
He added that government interference in university affairs, appointments, and policies, controversial inconsistent policies also led to high unemployment rates among graduates, causing frustration and discontent.
He said ASUU and her members continued to display “uncommon courage and resilience to look straight into the eyes of oppressors both at local (individual University branches) and National (Federal and State government) levels and speak truth to them without minding whose oxes are gored.”
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