ASUU Criticizes Surge In First-class Graduates From Private Universities

Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has raised concerns over the increasing number of first-class graduates being produced annually by private universities in Nigeria.

ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, raised the issue on Thursday during an event held to honor Prof. Andy Egwunyenga for his successful tenure as Vice Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU). The event took place on the DELSU campus in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.

Osodeke warned that if public universities adopt similar practices without proper regulation, it could lead to a decline in genuine academic pursuit. He also noted that today’s primary and secondary schools are producing graduates with excellent grades but lacking sufficient knowledge.

The union leader further criticized the “mass exodus” of skilled Nigerian workers seeking better opportunities abroad, citing incidents such as building collapses as evidence of deeper systemic issues within the country’s institutions.

“Academics once enjoyed a decent standard of living, but the situation has changed. The unions must return to the frontline for a renewed phase of their struggle,” Osodeke stated. He reiterated that ASUU would continue to speak out against injustices and support fairness.

Prof. Omotoye Olorode, a member of the union, addressed the topic “New University Curricula (CCMAS): Context and Matters Arising,” describing the CCMAS as an imperialistic mechanism aimed at undermining Nigeria’s academic structure and perpetuating a system where Africans remain subservient to the agricultural needs of developed nations.

Olorode also lamented that Nigeria’s education sector remains stagnant, with the country never allocating more than 7% of its budget to education, far below UNESCO’s recommended 26%.

Olorode congratulated the outgoing DELSU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Egwunyenga, on his successful tenure. DELSU ASUU Chairman, Dr. Paul Opone, praised Egwunyenga for providing the leadership needed to steer the institution through troubled times. He noted that the celebration was the first of its kind at DELSU, recognizing Egwunyenga’s significant contributions to the university community.

In his response, Egwunyenga expressed gratitude for the recognition, attributing his approach as vice chancellor to the narratives found in Festus Iyayi’s book Demons and Monsters.