The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected recent education agreements between the Federal Government and the United Kingdom, including plans to establish a campus of Coventry University in Nigeria.

ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, made the union’s stance known during a public lecture organised by the union’s branch at Sa’adu Zungur University. He described the proposed move as unacceptable, warning that it could undermine Nigeria’s university system.

Piwuna criticised what he called a contradiction in policy, noting that while Nigerian students face tightening visa restrictions to study in the UK, British institutions are seeking to operate within Nigeria. “They have denied Nigerians visas to study in the UK, yet they are coming here to establish universities and take our money. This is another form of colonialism, and ASUU will strongly oppose it,” he said.

He further alleged that declining international student enrolment and financial pressures were pushing foreign universities to expand into countries like Nigeria. According to him, rather than opening the door to external dominance, the government should prioritise strengthening local universities and improving their capacity.

The ASUU president also issued a four-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to implement the agreed new salary structure for lecturers, warning that failure to act would trigger a response from the union.

In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Sa’adu Zungur University, Prof. Fatima Tahir, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to staff welfare while urging academic staff to remain dedicated to their responsibilities. She stressed the need to balance welfare demands with the broader goal of sustaining and strengthening the university system.