Ruling Class Criticized as Enemy of Nigerians by Professor

During the second annual lecture at Osun State University (UNIOSUN) titled ‘Collective Bargaining in Labour Relations: Interrogating the impact of FGN-Staff Unions Agreements on the Nigerian University System,’ retired Professor of Botany at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Prof Omotoye Olorode, expressed concerns that the ruling class has become an enemy of the Nigerian populace. He described Nigeria as a bourgeoise state and emphasized the importance of university lectures in addressing societal issues.

Olorode criticized the trend of prioritizing private universities over public ones and raised alarms about increasing inequality. He stated that demands for university autonomy should not be misconstrued as elitist.

Olorode also linked the crisis in Nigeria's public education sector to attacks on public sector and trade unions from 1978 to 1988. UNIOSUN Vice Chancellor, Prof Odunayo Clement Adebooye, noted the university's commitment to public lectures aimed at providing solutions to societal issues and mentioned his previous appeal to Femi Gbajabiamila regarding the FGN-Staff Unions Agreements.