The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned the Federal Government against plans to phase out courses described as “irrelevant” in Nigerian universities, insisting that all academic programmes have societal and economic value.
The union, through its Bauchi Zone, issued the warning during a press conference in Bauchi on Thursday, where it also highlighted unresolved issues threatening industrial harmony in the university system.
Speaking at the briefing, ASUU Bauchi Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Namo Timothy, described the Federal Government’s recent pronouncement on scrapping some courses in public universities as “bizarre” and unacceptable.
The Federal Government had, on April 26, 2026, during the “Renewed Hope Conversation” with students of the University of Abuja, announced plans to phase out courses considered irrelevant to Nigeria’s economic future.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, had stated that the government was moving to end programmes with limited real-world value and align university education with labour market demands, global standards, and innovation trends.
However, Timothy faulted the position, arguing that every university course contributes to national development and personal growth.
According to him, disciplines often dismissed as less relevant, including philosophy, religious studies, linguistics, and fine arts, play vital roles in building critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, and digital literacy skills.
He also rejected claims linking unemployment mainly to graduates of social sciences and humanities, describing such arguments as an oversimplification of Nigeria’s economic challenges.
“ASUU rejects any attempt to scrap academic programmes in Nigerian universities and shall work with pro-people organisations to vehemently resist it,” Timothy declared.
The union further lamented the alleged non-implementation of the December 2025 FGN/ASUU agreement by federal and state governments.
The union warned that growing frustration among university lecturers could spark another round of industrial unrest if urgent action is not taken to address the lingering issues.
