…warns against growing kidnappings in the South-West, says failure to implement agreements may trigger unrest in universities.
The Ibadan Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on President Bola Tinubu and governors in the South-West to take urgent action against the rising wave of kidnappings and bandit attacks in the region.
The union made the appeal during a press conference held in Ibadan on Thursday.
Speaking on behalf of the union, the ASUU Ibadan Zonal Coordinator, Biodun Olaniran, warned that insecurity was gradually spreading into the South-West and must be urgently contained.
The zone comprises the University of Ibadan, University of Ilorin, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osun State University, Kwara State University and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education.
Olaniran expressed concern over the non-implementation of agreements reached between ASUU and both the federal and some state governments, particularly involving LAUTECH, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education and Kwara State University.
According to him, lecturers are becoming increasingly frustrated over delays in implementing key components of the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement.
He commended the managements of the University of Ibadan, Osun State University and University of Ilorin for beginning partial implementation of some salary-related components of the agreement.
However, ASUU accused the Federal Government of failing to fully implement critical aspects of the agreement, including Earned Academic Allowances, despite signing the deal months ago.
The union also faulted the Federal Government for not inaugurating the Implementation Monitoring Committee expected to oversee smooth execution of the agreement.
ASUU further accused the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, of politicising the agreement instead of focusing on practical solutions to the lingering crisis in the education sector.
On insecurity, the union described the recent abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State as evidence that banditry and kidnapping are becoming a major threat in the South-West.
ASUU warned that continued loss of lives through insecurity could seriously affect national development and called on leaders to move beyond sympathy messages and take decisive action.