ASUU Rejects FG’s Plan To Open British University Campus In Nigeria

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected the Federal Government’s plan to establish a campus of Coventry University in Nigeria. Union President Professor Chris Piwuna described the move as an attempt to re-colonise the country’s education sector and vowed that ASUU would resist its implementation.

NaijaChoice News reports that Piwuna made the position clear on Friday in Bauchi during a public lecture organised by the Sa’adu Zungur University branch of the union. He disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the agreement during a recent state visit to the United Kingdom. The proposed campus, expected in Alaro City, Lagos, would offer UK-accredited degrees in STEM, business and technical fields starting later in 2026.

Piwuna argued that Coventry University is battling serious financial troubles, including a reported £58 million deficit and falling enrolment of African students. He said the institution is pushing aggressive cost-cutting measures worth up to £100 million over the next two years. “They deny Nigerians visas to study abroad, yet they want to come here and take our money,” he stated.

The ASUU leader insisted the deal violates the Federal Government’s existing moratorium on new universities. He warned that the union would oppose any education-related aspect of the agreement. “This will not stand. We are going to resist it,” Piwuna declared.

Despite the strong opposition, Piwuna commended the Vice-Chancellor of Sa’adu Zungur University, Professor Fatima Tahir, for implementing the new salary structure approved for university lecturers. He described the step as commendable and a sign of commitment to staff welfare.

The lecture focused on academic responsibility and entrepreneurship. Presentations came from Suleiman Abdullahi Karwai of Ahmadu Bello University’s Department of Business Administration and Abubakar Sadiq Usman of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies at Gombe State University.

Karwai urged lecturers to build sustainable income streams outside the classroom. “No lecturer should be poor. There are legitimate ventures that can complement academic work without compromising it,” he said. He encouraged investments in shareholding, real estate, publishing and consultancy.

The development comes amid ongoing debates about the state of public universities in Nigeria. ASUU has repeatedly highlighted chronic underfunding, infrastructure gaps and the push to keep Nigerian students from seeking expensive education abroad. The union’s latest stance signals potential fresh tension between the lecturers’ body and the Tinubu administration over higher education policy.