The President of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), Niyi Sumonu, has said the union’s commitment to uninterrupted academic activities and constructive engagement has contributed significantly to stability in Nigeria’s university system since its official recognition in 2023.
Sumonu stated this in an Exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
The CONUA president, an Associate Professor of Physics and Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, said the union had consistently promoted industrial harmony across public universities while advocating reforms to strengthen the nation’s higher education sector.
He said one of the union’s major achievements had been its sustained campaign for an uninterrupted academic calendar, adding that the emergence of multiple academic unions had enriched dialogue and broadened solutions to challenges facing universities.
“Pluralism in unionism brings different ideas and solutions to problems. Our being on board has added to the voices on how to address issues in the academic environment,” he said.
Sumonu noted that CONUA had continued to advocate improved welfare packages for academic staff without disrupting the university system.
According to him, recent improvements in staff welfare followed discussions surrounding the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement between the Federal Government and university unions.
He argued that CONUA should be recognised as a separate party in the renegotiation process because it was established after the 2009 agreement.
“We had discussions with government based on the 2009 agreement, and we already have a draft waiting for signing,” he said.
The union leader described the growing migration of Nigerian academics abroad as evidence of persistent challenges in the education sector, urging the government to improve remuneration, working conditions and research facilities to retain experienced lecturers.
“Universities cannot develop without proper funding. Government should see education as an investment and not a business where quick gains are expected,” he said.
He also advocated stronger partnerships between universities and industry to provide alternative funding sources, promote research and innovation, and reduce dependence on government allocations.
Sumonu stressed that achieving a stable academic calendar would require transparency and collaboration among government, university administrators, academic staff, students, parents and industry stakeholders.
He further called for the development of specialised universities with clearly defined areas of excellence to enhance quality, innovation and global competitiveness.
The CONUA president urged the Federal Government to pursue a long-term vision for university education through consistent and sustainable policies, warning that frequent policy changes had slowed the growth of the education sector.
He also appealed to the government to pay outstanding entitlements owed to university workers and sustain ongoing reforms aimed at improving the quality and global competitiveness of Nigerian universities.
