A former Vice Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI) in Ebonyi State, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, has urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to prohibit its members from participating in election-related assignments for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Prof. Nwajiuba made the appeal on Tuesday during a valedictory lecture delivered at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), in honour of the institution’s outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe.
He emphasized that Nigerian universities, as universal institutions dedicated primarily to teaching, research, and learning, should not be involved in electoral processes, which he described as partisan engagements outside their core mandate.
“Save Nigerian universities from participating in electoral duties. We don’t have any business in that. We don’t belong to that constituency. ASUU should stop us from election duties,” Prof. Nwajiuba stated emphatically.
The call comes amid recurring debates over the deployment of academic staff as ad hoc personnel for INEC during elections, a practice that often disrupts university activities, including lectures and examinations. Lecturers frequently serve as presiding officers, collation officers, and other roles in national polls, a responsibility many argue diverts focus from academia and exposes the sector to political pressures.