Adesanya-Davies urges CONUA, others to support or stay silent on ASUU’s strike
A Professor of Applied Linguistics and Communication at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, and former presidential candidate, Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, has called on the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) and other academic splinter groups to either support or remain silent over the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Reacting to recent reports including “ASUU Strike: CONUA Dissociates Self, Says Action Baseless” and “CONUA Distances Union from ASUU Strike, Directs Members to Classrooms”, Adesanya-Davies defended ASUU’s industrial action, describing it as a legitimate and patriotic struggle to protect the rights and welfare of Nigerian lecturers and to uphold the integrity of the nation’s public universities.
“ASUU is striking not for selfish reasons, but for the collective good of every academic, including those in CONUA,” she said. “It is unwise for any academic body to publicly condemn or undermine a struggle aimed at securing better funding, improved welfare, and enhanced learning conditions across our universities.”
The educationist maintained that while CONUA may choose not to participate in the industrial action, it bears a moral responsibility to remain silent in solidarity.
“When some are fighting for justice and fairness, others should not speak against them; they should rather stay silent, pray, and hope for success — because the victory will benefit all,” she added.
Adesanya-Davies urged the Federal Government to resolve the lingering issues that have repeatedly triggered ASUU strikes, instead of exploiting divisions within the academic community. She described ASUU as “the conscience of Nigerian tertiary education,” commending the union’s steadfastness in safeguarding the university system from collapse.
“ASUU’s resilience has kept Nigeria’s universities from total collapse. Rather than ridicule them, we must appreciate their courage and consistency in the face of neglect,” she noted.
Calling for unity among all university-based unions — including ASUU, CONUA, NAAT, and SSANU — Adesanya-Davies emphasized that solidarity remains crucial for achieving meaningful reforms in the education sector.
“A divided house cannot stand. When one arm of the academic family is fighting for all, the least others can do is respect the cause,” she said. “Education is our collective heritage, and we must defend it together. Great ASUU! GREAT!”
The statement was jointly issued by Prof. Mercy Adesanya of the Department of English and Communication Arts, Faculty of Humanities, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, and the Office of Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, former presidential candidate.
