In the latest confrontation with systemic failure, ASUU President Chris Piwuna has laid bare a stark truth: the Nigeria education crisis government neglect is real. Speaking during the interview series “A Conversation with the ASUU President” on the Toyin Falola Interviews, Piwuna asserted that the federal government doesn’t prioritise education because its officials refuse to regard the sector’s problems as national concerns.

Government officials’ indifferent attitude

Piwuna said the indifference of key government officials towards the education sector has made sustainable reform almost impossible. He pointed out that members of the Federal Executive Council often view education challenges as solely the responsibility of the Minister of Education. “When ASUU declares a strike, the Minister of Finance sees it as the Minister of Education’s problem; the Minister of Science and Technology sees it the same way,” he said.

He added that if the Minister of Finance understood that the country’s economic growth depends on a knowledgeable workforce, he would treat the Minister of Education’s problem as his own.

Ideology, corruption and public goods vs profit mindset

Piwuna didn’t stop at indifference — he challenged the ideological orientation and corruption he believes impedes the education sector’s progress. “We in ASUU see education as a public good, but those in government treat it as a capitalist venture, something only important if it generates profit. … Even the last Chief of Staff to the President … is now a Pro-Chancellor advocating it. Self-interest and contract inflation have replaced public service. That is why TETFund has become a marketplace.”

This highlights his concern that the sector’s crisis is not just a matter of resources, but of mindset and governance.

Structural troubles in universities

On the same panel, fellow academic and commentator Francis Egbokhare of the University of Ibadan pointed to leadership failure, decaying infrastructure and weak accountability within universities as major contributors to the broader Nigeria education crisis government neglect. “You look around our universities and see poorly constructed buildings in an era when sustainable design should be standard. We must fix leadership selection and integrity issues within our universities.”

Economist Sherrifdeen Tella added that the disregard for research has further compounded Nigeria’s under-development: “When farmers plant good seeds … it’s due to research by academics. Unfortunately, the system has neglected research for too long.”

ASUU’s position & outlook

Piwuna disclosed that ASUU’s National Executive Council meeting in Taraba State is nearing the conclusion of its negotiations with government. According to him, “The terms of the agreement are shaping up, and in the next week or two, we’ll make a definite statement. But what the government is offering us as salaries is unacceptable… All the billionaires have private universities; none of them support public universities.”
He explained that current academic conditions are pushing lecturers into survival mode — “Some of our colleagues sleep in their offices with their families because of poor living conditions. How can such people be expected to source endowments or drive world-class research? We are still struggling to move out of the 17th century, not the 18th.”