The University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has condemned the dismissal of Austin Nwagbara, a Nigerian professor, by the University of Education (UEW), Ghana.
Nwagbara was sacked by UEWover “unethical and damning” comments he made about the country and its education system.
The professor, in a viral video, had accused the Ghanaian government of maltreating Nigerians.
The professor had urged a group of people to employ the media from Nigeria to reshape the reportage of Nigerians based in Ghana.
Shortly after this, he was arrested by the Ghanaian police for allegedly inciting the public. He was later granted bail but asked to report to the police frequently.
In a statement on Friday, Dele Ashiru, chairman of ASUU-UNILAG, said the union received news of the alleged harassment and detention of Nwagbara with anguish.
Citing article 3 and 4 of the Kampala declaration on intellectual freedom and social responsibility, the union said the professor’s opinion should have been viewed within the context of academic freedom no matter how scathing they were.
The union called on the UEW and relevant government agencies to ensure the safety of Nwagbara, warning that they would be held responsible if anything untoward happens to the professor.