Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has warned the Federal Government that, saying reopening of tertiary institutions without taking concrete steps to address issues within the universities would be suicidal.
The warning was issued by the Lagos Zone of the Union while reacting to plans to reopen tertiary institutions that were shut due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, while in a meeting at Olabisi Onababjo University, Ago-Iwoye, yesterday.
According to the coordinator, Prof. Olusiji Sowande, the response of public universities to the call by National University Commission for their readiness to reopen indicated that they are not yet ready
“Presently, hostel accommodations are inadequate, no facility on ground to carry out physical distancing in large crowded classes, water and electricity supply are not reliable.
“Reopening tertiary institutions without taking concrete steps to address these issues would be suicidal. While government made arrangements for special bail out funds for airline operators and other private entities, no such arrangement was made for public universities”.
“Therefore, government should be ready to take responsibility for any possible negative consequences after reopening of universities”.
