Lecturers in Nigeria’s colleges of education have embarked on an indefinite strike action over what it termed “wanton neglect by the government,”
The lecturers, under the aegis of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), have accused the Nigerian government of continuously underfunding COEs in the country.
They say that between 2012 and 2017, funds released as capital allocation to COEs by the government stood at just about 56% of the budgeted sums.
The President of COEASU, Nuhu Ogirima, made this known during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
He said: “The gross under-funding of COEs has been abysmally consistent on the part of the federal government. Quite unfortunately, State governments tow the line of the federal government in this regard. It could be said that the federal government encourages irresponsibility towards funding obligations.
“The issue of funding affects the system in all ramifications. For example, between 2012 and 2017 the funds released as capital allocation to COEs by the federal government stood at just about 56% of the budgeted sums.
“A little before the period in question, especially from 2006 to 2008, the totality of allocation to COEs relative to other sister institutions, was appalling.”
“Sadly, the government has chosen to ignore the renewed attempt of the Union to call attention to the dire situation the COEs have found themselves.
“As a union responsible for the yearnings and aspirations of the academics managing the education of the less privileged citizens, we consider it a complicity to remain quiet in the face of the wanton neglect that has characterized the disposition of the government to our plight.”
“The persistent wanton neglect of COEs is evident in the non-response to the series of memo raised by the Union reminding the federal government of Nigeria of her responsibilities.”