Former Presidential Candidate Supports ASUU’s Funding and Welfare Demands
Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, a renowned professor of Applied Linguistics and Peace Consul of the United Nations Positive Livelihood Award Centre (UN-POLAC), has thrown her weight behind the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) demands for better funding, improved welfare, and recognition of intellectual work in Nigeria.
As a former presidential candidate and lecturer with over four decades of experience, Prof. Adesanya-Davies understands the importance of valuing education and intellectual capital.
The decline in pay for academics is a global crisis, but it’s particularly serious in developing nations like Nigeria.
The government appears to prioritize other sectors over education, leading to neglect of academics and serious consequences for national development. Prof. Adesanya-Davies believes that ASUU’s demands are essential for the dignity of the teaching profession and the future of Nigeria.
The “Brain Drain Problem” in the nation for instance has come to stay. Nigeria is losing its best minds to other countries that respect and value intellectual work.
“Over 40% of university-educated African-born immigrants live in the United States, Europe, or other developed countries.
“This brain drain degrades local universities, lowers research output, and weakens academic standards”
Prof. Adesanya-Davies urges the government to take immediate action to address this issue,
A Case in point is the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), which serves a prime example of the consequences of neglecting education.
The university has been losing senior lecturers and professors to greener pastures, leading to a shortage of quality lecturers, lower research output, and general weakening of academic standards.
Prof. Adesanya-Davies urges the government to learn from this example and take action to support education.
ASUU’s demands are not just about money; they’re about the dignity of the teaching profession.
The union is calling for a salary grade that reflects the position and societal value of academics.
She believes that this demand is reasonable and essential for the future of Nigeria.
“The solution lies in revolutionizing the way Nigeria values its human capital. The government must prioritize education and value intellectual work as an essential investment in the future.
“Academic remuneration must be supplemented by incentives that recognize the type of work they do, such as research grants and access to world-class facilities. Universities must be well-funded to conduct cutting-edge research and help solve national problems.
Finally, Prof. Adesanya-Davies concludes that ASUU’s demands are not just about the union’s interests but about the future of Nigeria.
The government must take immediate action to support education and value intellectual work. By doing so, Nigeria can ensure that its academics are valued and empowered to drive national progress.
Signed:
Iquo Halo Eton
Special Assistant/Public Relations
Office of the UNITED NATIONS POLAC PEACE CONSUL & Secretary General of BOT, UN-POLAC
(PC,SG), H.E Ambassador Bishop Prof Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies
_info@unpolac.org
