On August 7, 1988, the Ibrahim Babangida-led military government formally proscribed the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, declaring it “an unlawful association.”
In a nationwide broadcast on the Nigerian Television Authority at 7pm, General Babangida ordered the immediate seizure of all ASUU assets, bank accounts, and property across the country. The ban took effect from August 7, 1988.
The proscription order, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Olu Falae, cited “persistent acts of insubordination, disruption of the academic calendar, and attempts to undermine the authority of government in the universities.”
“The union has consistently engaged in activities prejudicial to national security and the smooth running of our universities,” the statement said.
“The government can no longer tolerate a situation where academic work is held hostage to sectional interests.”
At the University of Lagos, students gathered in small groups to discuss the development.
“This is the end of academic freedom,” said a 400-level student who asked not to be named. “If lecturers cannot speak, who will speak for the universities?”
A senior member of ASUU’s National Executive Council also condemned the move, calling it “a declaration of war on intellectuals.”
“We have always said our struggle is for the survival of public universities. Banning us will not solve the problems of decay, underfunding, and brain drain,” the official said.
ASUU was formed in 1978 to protect the interests of university teachers. It led major strikes in 1984, 1986, and early 1988, frequently clashing with government over salary reviews and the 1986 Structural Adjustment Programme, which led to deep cuts in university budgets.
