ASUU Warns FG Against Scrapping University Courses, Says Every Course Matters
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has strongly opposed the Federal Government’s proposed plan to scrap certain “irrelevant” university courses, insisting that all academic disciplines have value.
ASUU Warns FG Against Scrapping University Courses, Says Every Course Matters
ASUU, through its Bauchi Zone, has warned the FG against scrapping university courses. The warning was issued during a press conference in Bauchi, in response to recent comments by the Federal Government about plans to scrap courses considered less relevant to Nigeria’s economic future.
The controversy began after Education Minister Tunji Alausa reportedly said the government intended to remove courses with “limited real-world value” from public universities as part of efforts to align education with labour market demands and global trends.
Responding, ASUU’s Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Namo Timothy, described the proposal as “bizarre”, arguing that every course in the university system has “utilitarian value” both for individuals and society. He specifically defended disciplines such as philosophy, religious studies, linguistics, and fine arts, saying that these courses help build vital 21st-century skills, including critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration. ASUU also rejected the suggestion that unemployment can be blamed on graduates from humanities and social sciences, saying Nigeria’s job crisis is tied to broader economic management issues, not what students choose to study.
The union further warned that it would “vehemently resist” any attempt to scrap academic programmes in Nigerian universities, while also raising concerns over unresolved issues in its ongoing dispute with the government.
ASUU believes the government should focus on making Nigeria’s universities more competitive because they believe, education reform should expand opportunities, not eliminate them.
Source: TrendyBeatz
