The recent naira redesign by the Central Bank of Nigeria has come under criticism by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, who claim that this action is an example of the constrictive environment imposed by the current ruling government.
Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, the national president, says the union is unhappy with the government’s persistent implementation of policies and legislations that make life worse for Nigerians.
“Our union, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, has had cause to condemn the anti-poor policies of the government in the education sector,” Prof Emmanuel Osodeke said in a statement.
According to Osodeke, the union went on strike for 8 months in 2022 to protest against the government’s policies that harm the poor.
He went on to say that it was pitiful that children from these families and their parents could not understand the union’s stance during the strike, which was perceived to hinder the education of young Nigerians.
“Word on the street is that triggers for the new wave of brain drain, called the ‘Japa syndrome’, are not unconnected with the debilitating working and dwelling environment,” he said.
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Osodeke commends the Supreme Court’s decision to stop the difficult transition from the old naira notes to the newly redesigned naira notes. “The ambush tactic of Godwin Emefiele to ‘eliminate cash’ was applied in India in 2016 with unsalutary consequences.” Osodeke says the union finds the naira redesign to be of no benefit.
“In the same way, the government’s explanation on non-circulation of the redesigned currency is meaningless, no attempt to rationalise the non-accessibility of petroleum products is tenable.
“This outgoing government raised Nigerians’ hope of fixing the country’s refineries when it was coming to power in 2015. Eight years down the line, it has been giving one excuse after another; allowing a free rein to the oil subsidy scammers!”
Osodeke went on to call the proposition an unpatriotic act of “selfish” and “rent-seeking” politicians.
“We in ASUU are saying it is not in the interest of the political class that the suffering is further aggravated in any manner whatsoever.
“It is unimaginable that a transiting government would elect to swim in an ocean of chaos as exemplified by the currency swap crisis and scarcity of petroleum products on the eve of an election season,” he added.
