The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Logo.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) attributes the significant staff shortage in Nigerian universities to the ‘Japa syndrome,’ as numerous lecturers have departed the country in pursuit of better opportunities abroad.
According to the union, there is currently a notable increase in retirements at universities in Nigeria.
ASUU at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, reported the departure of approximately 100 lecturers from the institution. Meanwhile, the union at Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara, revealed the need for about 1,000 lecturers to fill the vacancies left by those who had departed.
At the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, the union stated that there were over 350 academic vacancies. Additionally, two faculties at the University of Lagos experienced the departure of 27 lecturers, and at the University of Uyo, approximately 100 workers have traveled out of the country.
The union revealed the presence of approximately 500 academic vacancies at the University of Ilorin in Kwara State. Simultaneously, staff, both academic and non-academic, at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology were reported to be departing the country.
Dr. Rotimi Olorunsola, the Chairman of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, acknowledged the exodus, stating, “Yes, some have japa (traveled out of the country), both the academic staff and non-academic.”
Akinpelumi, verified that numerous employees of the institution had departed.
“It is true that many workers, both academic and non-academic, have left the university, but as I am now, I can’t give a specific number. I can confirm that many workers of the university have gone,” he stated.
Dr. Ray Chikogu, the Chairman of ASUU at the University of Benin, mentioned that the shortage of staff in UNIBEN and other universities has been a longstanding issue, primarily attributed to the Federal Government’s employment embargo.
He expressed that this amounted to unwarranted government interference in the operations of universities, particularly impacting the hiring and promotion of staff.
“The teaching staff department is significantly understaffed. Academic staff at the University of Benin and numerous other universities in the country have been burdened with excessive work for an extended period.
This issue has persisted for several years due to the employment embargo imposed on federal universities, and the staff recruitment process is highly convoluted. The university must seek permission from the head of service through the accountant-general’s office.
This represents interference by the Federal Government in the internal affairs of the school. Matters that should be managed by university senates and councils have now been centralized, resulting in a confusing state of affairs within the university system. It is a disheartening situation,” he remarked.
“Many are retiring and they are not being replaced and due to the unfavourable condition much academic staff work under, they have left their jobs and travelled abroad to seek greener pastures, adding to the big problem of brain drain, which is taking its toll on the university system and nothing is being done about it. It appears that the Federal Government is deliberately suffocating the system for reasons best known to them.”
The ASUU Chairman at the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, Dr. Shehu El-rasheed, noted that a substantial number of vacancies persisted in the university because of bureaucratic impediments.
He said, “A lot of vacancies exist but filling the vacancies has become very difficult due to the tough bureaucratic bottlenecks. A vice-chancellor needs to get clearance from about seven Federal Government agencies and parastatals before a single staffer is recruited.
“Senior professors are retiring and no replacement. In FUK, academic staff are leaving in numbers to countries such Malaysia, Oman, New Zealand, and the US.”
El-Rasheed noted that inadequate academic staff in FUK could be associated with inadequate funding, “by the Federal Government and bureaucratic bottlenecks brought by IPPIS; poor remuneration and harsh economic conditions.”
The Federal Government implemented the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) a few years ago to address the issues of ghost workers and civil servants receiving multiple salaries.
However, many university employees are purportedly dissatisfied with the initiative, citing its limitation in allowing institutions to hire staff, especially when universities face significant understaffing challenges.