ASUU expresses concern over exodus of students to foreign universities

The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Gombe State University (GSU) chapter, Umar Adamu, has expressed concern over the exodus of Nigerian students to other countries for studies.

Mr. Adamu, who criticised the situation, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Monday that it was not good for the educational development of the country.

He expressed concern over the movement of the students to other countries that had lesser quality of staff.

"It is a shameful way if you discover the way Nigerians from undergraduate to postgraduate students are leaving for other countries for the sake of studies.

"It is not because they have quality staff and other things.

"In Nigeria, we have all it takes to maintain standard in our universities but it's because the government is not serious about putting things in the right way.

"That is why generally our university system has decayed.

"A lot of people have left for other countries that give priority to education and this is leading to a very serious brain drain in our system," he said.

He said the problems in the education system in the country was attributable to incessant and lingering crises in the sector.

The chairman advised government to honour its agreement with the union to restore confidence in the system.

According to him, what ASUU is asking for is not for  selfish gains but aimed at revamping the sector in particular, to  contribute to the development of the country.

"The lingering crisis has a very devastating effect in the educational development and general development of the country," he said.

Mr. Adamu expressed dissatisfaction with the role of stakeholders in wooing government to place priority on education.

NAN reports that academic activities at the state university are still paralysed as lecturers are yet to report to their duties.

(NAN)