The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) issued a warning on Tuesday, expressing concern over the severe understaffing crisis afflicting most departments in Nigeria's public universities. This critical shortage was attributed to the exodus of lecturers seeking better opportunities elsewhere.

ASUU underscored the inadequacy of new university establishments in addressing admission challenges and urged the government to enhance the capacity of existing universities to accommodate more students.

According to Prof. Ayo Akinwole, the Chairman of ASUU at the University of Ibadan, the state of Nigeria's public universities is deplorable, marked by visible stress and frustration among inadequately compensated lecturers.

"Except President Bola Tinubu arrests the situation by reviewing the conditions of service in terms and salaries, allowances, and infrastructure, many good hands will continue to resign and leave the country." Noted Prof Akinwale

Highlighting the paradox of insufficient funding for education alongside proposals to establish additional universities, Akinwole criticized the government's approach. He emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive review to address issues like poor salaries, delayed payments, unpaid allowances, inadequate infrastructure, lack of respect for the academic community, and a diminishing sense of hope among educators.

Akinwole said, "The union has received reports on how colleagues resign every month because of the way lecturers are treated and poorly remunerated in Nigeria."

He further outlined the challenge universities face in replacing departed staff promptly, citing bureaucratic hurdles and delays in obtaining approval from Abuja. This situation, Akinwole warned, makes it challenging to retain top-quality educators, as global institutions actively recruit them.

He also noted,"Vice Chancellors cannot single-handedly employ to replace staff as urgently as it is needed again. They have to contact Abuja for approval, which may take six months to a year, if not more, before they get approval."