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Tag: poor funding

  • ‘Poor funding, lack of infrastructure stalling baseball’s growth in Nigeria’

    ‘Poor funding, lack of infrastructure stalling baseball’s growth in Nigeria’

    While baseball remains a relatively unknown sport in Nigeria, ADEKOYA SAMMY, Head Coach of Adekalu Baseball Academy in an interview with David Bolarinwa, shares insights into the current state of the game in Nigeria. Despite the challenges, Adekoya, an ex-player is determined to give the sport a future in Nigeria. Through his work, he’s shaping the next generation of players, but there’s still a long road ahead.

    A Sport in the Shadows

    In a country where football dominates every conversation, baseball struggles to find its place. “People in Nigeria love football, but there’s so much talent in baseball too, it’s just not being recognized,” says Adekoya.

    The challenges are clear, limited exposure, poor facilities, and a lack of financial support. For many young players, baseball is a hobby rather than a potential career. “We have the talent; we just need the resources,” Adekoya explains.

    Despite these barriers, those involved in the sport believe it’s only a matter of time before the game finds its audience.

    Building World Stars Through Adekalu Baseball Academy

    Adekalu Baseball Academy, co-founded by Adekoya Sammy, is grooming young talent to represent Nigeria at the 2030 Olympics and beyond. “We’re building future Olympians, Baseball can be a gateway to life-changing opportunities.” Adekoya said.

    The academy has become a hub for aspiring athletes, offering structured training and a vision for the future. But Sammy stresses that more support is needed: “We need better facilities, more coaches, and sponsorships to compete internationally.”

    The Challenge of Limited Resources

    A key struggle for baseball in Nigeria is the lack of infrastructure. “We’re still playing on makeshift fields, using old equipment. But the passion is undeniable,” Adekoya says with a mix of pride and frustration.

    Without proper funding, it’s hard to maintain the level of training needed to compete internationally. Yet despite these obstacles, the academy has managed to make a significant impact. This July, the Adekalu Baseball Academy will represent Nigeria at the U15 international tournaments in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, a huge opportunity for both the players and the sport.

    “These international tournaments are crucial. It’s our chance to show the world what Nigerian baseball can do,” says Adekoya.

    Read Also: NFF mourns demise of former FIFA referee Momoh

    The Need for Sponsors and Infrastructure

    Despite the academy’s success, Adekoya Sammy knows that much more needs to be done. “For baseball to grow in Nigeria, we need investment. We need sponsors who believe in the potential of these kids and the sport,” he says.

    Without sponsorship, it’s nearly impossible to develop world-class facilities, host competitions, or even send teams abroad. Sammy is calling for the Nigerian government and private sectors to step in and support the future of baseball. “The talent is there. The players are there. We just need the backing to make this sport a staple in Nigeria,” he explains.

    The Path Forward

    Baseball in Nigeria may be at its infancy, but with people like Adekoya Sammy leading the charge, the future looks promising. “We’re building something real. Step by step, we’re creating a system that can produce world-class players,” Adekoya says.

    For the vision to become a reality, however, the sport needs more than just passion—it needs resources, visibility, and support. With international exposure on the horizon, the hope is that baseball will one day become a household name in Nigeria.

    Call for Action

    As Adekoya Sammy puts it: “The foundation is being laid now. With the right support, we’ll see a generation of baseball players who can compete globally.”

    It’s time for Nigeria to embrace baseball—invest in its future and support the athletes who dream of playing on the world stage. The passion is there. The talent is there. All that’s needed now is the commitment to make baseball in Nigeria a reality.

  • ‘Poor funding, infrastructure limiting growth of women’s sports’

    ‘Poor funding, infrastructure limiting growth of women’s sports’

    In recent years, Nigerian sports have witnessed significant growth, with athletes excelling on global stages. However, beneath these achievements lies a troubling reality, the growing gender disparity in opportunities, recognition, and investment in women’s sports. David Bolarinwa interviewed notable names in the women football league to analysis the widening gender gap in Nigerian sports.

    Nigerian women’s football has experienced notable developments recently, both domestically and internationally. The 2024/2025 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership season commenced on January 15, 2025, marking a significant step as teams vie for qualification in the inaugural Women’s World Club Cup set for 2026. This initiative aims to elevate the profile of women’s club football in Nigeria and provide a platform for local talents to showcase their skills on a global stage.

    On the international front, Nigerian female footballers are making strides. In January 2025, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, a 19-year-old striker from Rivers Angels FC, secured a one-year contract with National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side San Diego Wave FC. This move underscores the growing recognition of Nigerian talent in global women’s football.

    Similarly, Asisat Oshoala, one of Nigeria’s most prominent forwards, transferred from FC Barcelona to NWSL expansion team Bay FC. Rasheedat Ajibade, another prominent force for the Nigeria Super Falcons team flourishing at Atletico Madrid in Spain, these underscores the increasing demand for Nigerian players in top-tier international leagues and reflects the potential career growth for female athletes originating from Nigeria.

    Despite these positive developments, challenges persist. The NWFL continues to grapple with issues such as inadequate funding, limited media coverage, and insufficient infrastructure. These obstacles hinder the league’s growth and the overall development of women’s football in the country.

    Unequal Funding and Investment

    One of the most glaring issues is the disparity in funding between male and female sports. Women’s teams across different sports struggle with inadequate financial backing, poor welfare packages, and substandard training facilities. For instance, the Nigerian women’s football team, the Super Falcons, remains the most successful national team in Africa, yet they often have to fight for their bonuses and allowances. Their male counterparts, the Super Eagles, rarely face such challenges, highlighting the glaring inequalities that persist.

    According to FIFA’s 2023 Women’s Football Report, “women’s football receives only a fraction of the investment compared to men’s football, with an estimated global funding gap of 70%.” This lack of financial backing directly impacts the development of female athletes and their ability to compete at the highest levels.

    The situation is no different in domestic leagues. The NWFL lacks the financial muscle of the men’s league, leading to lower wages for female players, fewer sponsorships, and minimal media coverage.

    In an interview with Dannaz Ladies Football Club head coach, Fatai Bashiru, he stated that poor welfare significantly affects player performance and overall team morale. He emphasized that inadequate feeding, substandard accommodation, and lack of financial support can lead to fatigue, decreased motivation, and even injuries, ultimately hindering the development of women’s football.

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    “Welfare is absolutely crucial—very, very important. It goes beyond just playing football; it encompasses every aspect of a player’s well-being. Proper feeding ensures they have the nutrition needed to perform at their best, while decent accommodation provides a stable and comfortable environment for rest and recovery. 

    Additionally, financial support is essential to cater to their personal needs, from basic necessities to healthcare and even motivation. When players are well taken care of, they can focus entirely on their performance on the pitch, knowing that their welfare is prioritized.”

    Representation and Leadership Gaps

    The appointment of female coaches and technical staff is also rare. Many female teams in Nigeria are still managed by men, reducing opportunities for women to take up influential coaching and managerial roles in the industry.

  • Ekiti CJ bemoans poor funding of judiciary

    Ekiti State Chief Judge (CJ), Jus-tice Ayodeji Daramola, has called on Governor Kayode Fayemi to put an end to poor funding of the judiciary witnessed in the last four years.

    Daramola urged Fayemi to implement Section 121(3)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, which granted financial autonomy to the state’s judiciary.

    Speaking at a special court session to mark the commencement of the 2018/2019 Legal Year, Daramola urged Fayemi to put an end to a situation whereby the judiciary was treated as “an inconsequential parastatal” during the administration of former Governor Ayo Fayose.

    The Ekiti State Judiciary was marking the beginning of a new legal year for the first time in three years as the occasion was last held in the state in 2015 due to inadequate funding of the arm of government.

    The occasion was also marked with a church service at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel (Anglican) Communion, which was attended by Fayemi, his Deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi; his wife, Margaret; the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye;  Judges, Magistrates, members of the Bar and workers in the state judiciary.

    According to him, a situation where the third arm of government is still subjected to going cap in hand for funds to the executive arm of government has had a negative effect on its performance.

    He said: “I will be using this opportunity therefore, to appeal to our governor and the House of Assembly to ensure an upward review of the annual budget of the Judiciary so that it can discharge its statutory functions without let or hindrance, so as to meet the expectations of its officers and staff.”

    Daramola regretted that the judiciary was merged with schools in the allocation of funds, from where it paid its workers, adding that workers in the Executive and Legislative arms received two, and sometimes three months’ salaries ahead of Judiciary staff.

    He assured members of staff that they will continue to enjoy all approved benefits within what available resources can accommodate to motivate them work harder.

    Expressing his commitment to staff development, Ekiti CJ promised that the state judiciary will continue to sponsor members of staff to attend relevant seminars and conferences to update their knowledge and improve their skills and outputs.

    Speaking on why there has been no increase in the number of judges on the Ekiti Judiciary Bench (11), Daramola explained that the National Judicial Council (NJC) has frozen further appointments over what it called “light workload” in the jurisdiction when compared with other busier jurisdictions.

    He said: “The light workload here referred does not in any way refer to the outputs of our judicial officers, which I daresay, is one of the highest nationwide, but the total number of cases that are filed in our jurisdiction on quarterly basis.

    “All efforts that we have put in place to enhance and improve the caseload are yet to dramatically alter our position.

    “May I use this opportunity to appeal to members of the Bar, both official and private, to do the needful by filing appeals from the decisions of our Magistrate Courts and Customary Courts to the High Court.

    “This is with a view to lifting our jurisdiction out of the present freeze zone that we have been placed this past four years. It is needless to reiterate here that increase in our workload will create appointment opportunities for their members on the High Court Bench.”

    At the church service, Anglican Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Christopher Omotunde, called on the concerned authorities to provide judges and other judicial officers with adequate security.

    He explained that one police orderly given to each judge for protection is not enough because of the sensitive nature of their job, describing such police orderlies as “mere decoration”.

    The bishop urged judicial officers to be above board, fearless and be guided by the fear of God in the discharge of their duties.

    Addressing the gathering, Fayemi urged the co-operation of every arm of government to make Ekiti fulfill the purpose for its existence.

    The Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda, said the executive arm is looking forward to receiving proposals on the additional work required to put the new High Court Complex into use.

    Fapohunda disclosed that arrangements have been concluded to establish Ministry of Justice Academy to train legal officers in areas of advocacy, advisory work, contract drafting and client engagement.

    He also gave an assurance on financial autonomy, promising to facilitate a dialogue with the executive arm to reposition and strengthen the judiciary.

    Fapohunda advocated the support of the Bar to fight crime in the state and ensure that criminals are tried and convicted for the crime they commit.

     

  • NASS recess: INEC worried over poor funding ahead of 2019 elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  yesterday expressed worries over poor funding ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The commission’s problem is compounded by the non-approval of the 2019 election fund requests sent to the National Assembly.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had last week sent a request for the national assembly to approve N254 billion for the conduct of 2019 elections.

    But the national assembly proceeded on recess to resume in September, 2018.

    The INEC Chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu, spoke during State House Press Corps retreat on the theme: “Covering Election Campaigns” at the Epe Resort, Lagos State.

    Represented by the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Samuel Olumeku, Yakubu said the commission was facing funding challenge ahead of the 2019 elections.

    He, however, assured that the Commission will have to seek other sources of funding to ensure that its plans do not grind to a halt.

    He said “As you know, our procurement process is very cumbersome and to make procurement it may take up to four months and this may affect what we are doing at INEC. But we may be forced to look at other sources of funding so that our preparation for the 2019 election is not affected”

    He also said that INEC has an extensive process of preparations for every election.

    “When we are not conducting election, we are out there educating the people” he added

    The commission also expressed worries over the problem of votes buying which the INEC described as “worrisome”

    He said, “Votes buying has taken a frightening dimension”, but assured that INEC has put in place measures to tackle the challenge.

    The INEC Chairman also lamented the non- assent to the 2018 amendment to the Electoral Act, a situation he said may make the organization to jettison the Act unless it comes into effect not later than six months to the election.

    “Well, as you know, we work with rules and the 2018 Electoral Act is expected to guide the conduct of the 2019 general election, but we may not be able to use it unless it comes six months before the general election.

    “We need a budget to be able to run the election, any law that does not come into effect six months before the election cannot apply to the 2019 election.

    On voter’s card cloning, he assured that such cards will be rejected by the smart card reader, adding that “you cannot vote with such cards.”

    The INEC Chairman advocated for a rejig on its election spending rules to include spending by individuals who want to support candidates

    “As it is now, as a person, you can spend any amount to support any candidate or political party but the law only allows INEC to scrutinize the books of the political parties”

    He also cautioned the media against sensitization of reports that tend to discourage voters from turning out to vote, especially as it affects heightening of security risks.

    “INEC lacks facilities to print voters card at the spot of registration which is why it issues temporarily cards.” he stated

    Chairman of This Day Editorial Board, Segun Adeniyi who presented a paper on “Covering the Presidential Villa During Campaigns; Between Professional / Sentimental Interest” observed that reporters must maintain delicate balancing reporting in the Villa,  urging reporters to be careful.

    He also urged reporters to avoid sensational reportage, including stories that have no attribution.

    “There are lots of information going on, do not allow anybody to use you.”

    Adeniyi, who recounted his experience both as reporter and later Special Adviser on Media and Publicity at the Presidential Villa, said reporters must be both accurate and objective in their reporting.

    According to him, “You must learn to control your emotions and be tactful in handling newsmakers and news.

    “You won’t know the fight other people do on your behalf at the background. It won’t be a sweet story when you have to face the security.

    “The government just want to muzzle the Press, because they are in power today, they want to see themselves as the custodian of the national security.

    “Facts are sacred, while comets are free” There is nothing going on today that did not happen in 2015. Let Buhari go today and another person comes in, it will be the same for the new comer.

    “People should not be so sentimental or emotional to the extent that you become part of the story. These politicians are all the same. Try as much as possible to be objective in your reporting. Many people get worked up for people they did not even know.

    “People get worked up for nothing, that is why we should have an open mind and it should not affect our friendship. People are entitled to their choices but we should be objective.” he said

    Noting that it was a bitter experience under the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, he said that he was surprised that even under democracy things weren’t better.

    He admonished State House correspondents to avoid the perks coming from officials as it may affect the ways they work.

     

  • Osinbajo to UCH, others: embrace innovation to overcome poor funding

    Osinbajo to UCH, others: embrace innovation to overcome poor funding

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday advised the management of the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and other government institutions to embrace innovation to overcome funding challenges.

    He said government alone cannot fully fund them.

    Osinbajo spoke at the hospital’s 60th anniversary lecture in Ibadan.

    After praising the hospital for its breakthroughs and impacts in the last 60 years, the Vice President noted that the decadence that afflicted Nigerian institutions since the 1990s would not go away by wishful thinking or by expecting that government would suddenly provide enough money to solve their challenges.

    He urged the UCH to “aggressively and creatively grow its partnerships, linkages” and engagement with the private sector and philanthropic organisations as well as individuals to deliver superior healthcare service to Nigerians.

    Osinbajo advised the management of the hospital to create the picture of where UCH would be in the next 10 years and leverage on partnerships, collaborations and linkages to support government funding in the quest to achieve the dream.

    The Vice President said governments all over the world are not fully responsible for the funding of education and healthcare, adding that creativity and innovation of managers of such institutions would address the funding shortfall.

    He stressed the essence of new technologies in delivering improved service in the hospital system.

    According to him, the infrastructural deficit arising from neglect in past years remains the greatest challenge of government today.

    Osinbajo added that the Muhammadu Buhari administration had been spending more than any other administration to address this problem.

    For instance, the Vice President said around N1.3 billion had been budgeted for capital projects in the 2018 budget, the highest in recent history of the country, even in percentage.

    “However, this amount is still very far from what we actually need to fix infrastructures in Nigeria. So, we must integrate the private sector,” he said.

    Osinbajo noted that the UCH could be a global centre of excellence, if it embraced innovation by involving the private sector.

    The hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD) Prof. Temitope Alonge said the UCH had largely achieved its mandate of training healthcare workers who will serve all over Nigeria and other West African countries as well as render high quality medical service to patients.

    The CMD said the breakthroughs of the hospital include nuclear medicine, heart surgery and geriatric care.

    He called for improved funding for the institution, saying it received only about 25 per cent of what it needed for overhead expenses.

    Health Minister Prof. Isaac Adewole said the UCH was among four federal hospitals to be renovated with funds from the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).

    The minister said the Federal Government was determined to ensure the success of the project.

    He said N9 billion was provided for the UCH in the 2018 Appropriation, adding that the government had approved the promotion of about 700 of its workers for this year.

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi praised the hospital and pledged his administration’s continued support and partnership with it.

    Ajimobi said the future looked bright for the hospital, adding that UCH added to the uniqueness of Ibadan and Oyo State.

    He said the newly inaugurated Kensington Adebutu’s Geriatric Rehabilitation Centre and the Cancer Centre, whose foundation was being laid, offered hope of a greater future for the hospital.

    The Vice President inaugurated the rehabilitation centre and turned the sod of the cancer centre as part of the anniversary celebration.

    Legal luminary, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), hailed the UCH for offering leadership in Nigeria’s heath sector.

    He called for improved remuneration for medical workers and urged philanthropic Nigerians to support the health and education sectors.

    At the lecture were Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN); former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was represented by Dr Femi Majekodunmi; the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji and his Lagos counterpart, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

    Emeritus professor of Medicine, Theophilus Ogunlesi, who is also the first professor of Medicine in Nigeria, presented the lecture.

    Several professors of Medicine and community leaders attended the programme.

    Also, Oba Akiolu ignored Oba Saliu Adetunji at the event.

    Dignitaries, including Vice President Osinbajo, Governor Ajimobi and Oba Akiolu had taken their seats on the high table.

    Oba Adetunji came in much later.

    The Lagos monarch sat on the left end of the platform.

    As the Olubadan walked up the stairs to the high table to join other dignitaries, from the left side where Oba Akiolu was the first on the row, the Lagos monarch looked away.

    Even Ajimobi, who many people believed was not in good terms with the monarch, rose up to welcome the monarch.

     

     

  • How poor funding cripples our operations, by IGP Idris

    How poor funding cripples our operations, by IGP Idris

    They are usually tagged incompetent, corrupt and inefficient. Unknown to many, inadequate funding by the Federal Government is responsible for the failings of the Nigeria Police. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris makes startling revelations in his presentation at a public hearing on a proposed bill for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, reports PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU

    They are awake while the rest of the country sleeps. Theirs is a profession that runs towards danger, insecurity, irrespective of time and place. Such roles, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have discharged with accolades at international operations, but same cannot be said back home.

    For so many years, the police have been condemned, blamed for insecurity across the country with many Nigerians accusing them of doing nothing in spite of the bogus resources availed them.

    The myth was however unraveled yesterday during the public hearing on the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Police Trust Fund and other related matters.

    At the hearing in Abuja, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris dropped bombshells, reeling out statistics that showed how the service was being crippled.

    Despite recommendations by the M.D. Yusuf Committee of 2008 that the police would need an estimated N2.8 trillion for capital development (N560 billion/year) within five years for effective reform, N16.1 billion was appropriated to the service last year but a paltry N10 billion was released, Idris disclosed.

    The police demanded N1.164 trillion between 2012 and last year for capital budget, out of the N64.999 billion that was appropriated, only N40.477 billion was released and cash-backed.

    For overhead allocations, N328.34 billion was requested, N39.43 was appropriated and only N32.22 was released within the period under review.

    ‘‘What is most worrisome is that though the budgetary allocations on paper are insufficient to meet the financial needs of the Force, the actual releases are far below what is budgeted,” the police chief lamented.

    Noting that the police have a fleet of 14,306 vehicles, including 3,115 motorcycles, the IGP said the Force would need N19.9 billion to minimally fuel them yearly. He said that only N809 million was released last year.

    The total average maintenance of the fleet was evaluated at N7.04 billion per year, but N486 million was released in 2016, said Idris.

    He said: ‘‘The basic requirement to provide adequate and appropriate items of kits for Police personnel annually is N14,583,671,264 as against the N1,752,500,000 earmarked in the 2017 Appropriation. This limitation negatively affects the turn-out of Police personnel.

    ‘‘Of date, there are over 7,000 Police formations and units across the federation. There is constant movement of personnel of the Force to either quell civil disturbance, contain violent crime, investigation purposes or even routine movement of personnel on transfers/posting within or outside these locations.

    ‘‘These movements entail the payment of appropriate Duty Tour Allowances (DTA), payment of allowance in lieu of hotel accommodation, etc. Unfortunately, allocation to the Force in terms of DTA is paltry. It is estimated that the Force needs over N200 billion for local travels and transport.

    ‘‘In the 2017 Appropriation, a budget of N411million is made for local travels and transport nationwide. This translates to an average of N58, 714 annually to each of the 7,000 locations or just N4, 893 monthly per formation. The implication of this is that Police officers on official assignments are not paid their DTAs, thereby making the Police to fall back on the state governments to offset some of these allowances.’’

    Decrying the conditions of police barracks, Idris noted that the existing facilities could only accommodate about seven per cent of personnel, adding that the service would need about N700 billion to rehabilitate existing stations, barracks and build new ones.

    Appealing to the National Assembly to pass the Bill, the IGP said it was expected to address issues of ICT; patrol/operational vehicles, crafts and other facilities; provision of full complement of arms/ammunition, riot control equipment, protective gears, armoury and firing/shooting range

    Others include: forensic technology/scientific aids for investigation; operational/administrative logistics; community policing project/public relations; clothing/accoutrements; construction, rehabilitation and modernisation of infrastructure/facilities for capacity building (training), as well as rehabilitation/construction of stations, barracks and personnel welfare.

    ‘‘The Police Trust Fund is crucial to the Force. If the Bill is passed into Law it will largely address the funding problems to improve on Police welfare and efficiency in the discharge of our constitutional functions.

    ‘‘It has been stated times without number that the regular source of funding for the Police, through budgetary allocation has failed to address the financial needs of the Police to provide adequate security for the Nation.’’

  • ASUU laments poor funding of Kebbi varsity

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed concern over what it described as ‘unacceptable’ way the Kebbi State Government was handling its Science and Technology University, Aliero ( KSUSTA).

    Sokoto Zonal Coordinator of the union, Dr. Lawal Alkali Argungu, complained at a briefing in Sokoto, that apart from poor funding, the state had failed to constitute a governing council for the university.

    “This is indicative of how the state government has relegated the issue of education in the state to the background.  With the monthly overhead of N5 million only, since inception to date, the university can be considered abandoned by the government.

    “The state government has left the university without a Governing Council for over one year.

    “ASUU is appealing to the Kebbi State Government not to force the campus to industrial restiveness unnecessarily, because the issue of Governing Council is a serious business in any university system,” he said.

    Argungu also said the union had an “understanding” with Governor Atiku Bagudu, to the effect that, the Council was going to be constituted.

    “And, thereafter, the council will procedurally address the rest of the contentious issues as presented by ASUU/KSUSTA.  As a union, we believe any university without a Governing Council is just like a ship without a captain. KSUSTA has been a peaceful campus since inception. It has never had any course to embark on indefinite strike action,” he said.

    Argungu appealed to eminent Kebbi indigenes and others to prevail on the government to redress the ugly trend.

    “The state government should attend to its responsibilities on the University without further delay in the interest of peace and industrial harmony,” he said.

     

  • ASUU-LAUTECH decries poor funding by owner states

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso branch , has appealed to owner state governments of Oyo and Osun to improve on the funding of the institution to assist in meeting its set objectives.

    The union decried the continued poor funding by the two states which they claimed has been threatening the existence of the university. This was part of resolutions at its congress of Tuesday, the 29th of March, 2016, where they sought a change of attitude of the two states on release of subventions to the institution.

    In a press statement issued by the union at the end of the congress, ASUU-LAUTECH Chairman Dr. ‘Biodun Olaniran, ASUU-LAUTECH said the union owed the general public the truth on the state of affairs at LAUTECH.

    ASUU observed that the non-release of subvention for a total of 17 months (12 and five months owned by Osun and Oyo respectively) has constituted a serious clog in the wheel of progress of the institution.

    He said:”The unsustainable payment of salaries through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is seriously affecting other activities of the institution which are not supposed to be compromised under any guise.

    “Non-release of subventions has led to backlog of various allowances namely Earned Academic Allowances and promotion arrears because IGR that was supposed to be used for these allowances were been diverted to pay staff salaries.

    “Academic Staff are made to work under increased lecturer/ student ratio and other unfavourable conditions to ensure uninterrupted  academic sessions for the management to be able to meet up with payment of salaries which is not only delayed but also irregular and unreliable and not so forthcoming”, the union said.

    ASUU expressed disappointment over the Governing Council’s silence over the pressing state of affairs in the university.

    “The Governing Council supposed to help the situation by facilitating the necessary means of getting the owner states to be more alive to their responsibility, the council is not helping matters, as all efforts by the union to get the council on its feet, in this regard, are to no avail”, the union stated.

  • Research experts protest poor funding  

    • Seek review of TETFund Act

    Research experts under the aegis of Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI) yesterday took to the streets to protest neglect of research findings needed for national development.

    They said research institutes have gone moribund due to poor funding.

    The protest took place at the Unity Fountain, Abuja.

    ASURI’s Vice President, Nnamdi Onunka, said it was imperative for federal government to consider adoption of different researches so far produced and avoid non-commercialisation of their findings.

    Some of the protesters bared their grievances through placards with inscriptions such as “What is needful to put Nigeria back to work by paying attention to research institutes”; “No TETfund research no budget for research which way Nigeria?”

    Others were “Zero budget for research ýin 2016 is death sentence on Nigeria development”; “Research is key to development and wealth of any nation” and”Nigeria is in danger, neglect of research; a coup against our future” .

    The General Secretary of ASURI, Theophilus Ndubuaku, who led the protest, accused the federal government of bias in its funding of the research institutes.

    He called for immediate review of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) Act to extend the scope of distribution of the overflowing funds to research institutes.

    Ndubuaku said the basis for exclusion of research institutes from benefiting out of the TETfund’s interventions was unfounded in a nation seriously yearning for economic emancipation.

  • Ogun, striking lecturers differ over salary arrears, poor funding of varsity

    Ogun State government and the striking lecturers of the Olabisi Onabanjo University(OOU) yesterday differed over the controversial  underfunding of the institution and salary arrears owed them.

    The aggrieved lecturers OOU had on Wednesday embarked on “indefinite, total and comprehensive” strike action over an alleged worsening under funding of the university  and unpaid 16- month salary and subventions by the state government.

    Agboola said the lecturers’ demands are clear and include reversal of the precarious funding situation at OOU and taking over of the payment of full salary of staff to free the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by the university for academic and infrastructural development.

    The ASUU chairman also said the lecturers want quick arrest of the imminent dangers of quality decline at OOU  by instituting reliable funding structure,  release of  fund for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances(EAA) in line with what obtained  in federal and other state universities as well as payment of entitlements for colleagues that were sacked unjustly.

    But yesterday, the state government through the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Modupe Mujota,  said the government does not owe the academic staff salaries for 16 months.

    In a statement on Friday, Majota stated that the recent recognition of OOU by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as the best state university in Nigeria punctured the notion that the state government had not done enough to revamp the institution.

    “The government  had always met its contractual obligations to the staff of the institution but would not be railroaded into executing a contract it did not enter into with the academic union.

    “We state categorically that we do not owe the teachers as alleged. They should provide any evidence of the contractual obligation the state government has breached with regard to their salaries and allowances,” Mujota said.