SSUCOEN Demands Urgent Action on 2010 Agreement and Increased Funding for Colleges of Education

The Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SSUCOEN), has called on the federal government to resume the stalled renegotiation of the 2010 agreement and increase funding for colleges of education across the country.

This appeal was made during the union’s 40th National Delegate Conference held at the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo.

Comrade Danladi Ali Msheliza, President of SSUCOEN, expressed concern over the declining interest in teacher education, attributing it to the poor welfare of teachers.

He stated that the renegotiation of the 2010 agreement, which addresses salary reviews, funding for governing councils, and the mainstreaming of demonstration schools, is crucial for revitalising the sector.

Msheliza spoke on the challenges faced by colleges of education, including inadequate infrastructure and insufficient funding.

He added that despite the federal government’s approval for colleges to run both degree and NCE programmes concurrently, the necessary support to implement this dual mandate effectively is lacking.

The union leader also criticised the federal government’s consideration to convert colleges of education into universities, arguing that such a move would undermine the specialised training provided by these institutions.

He urged the government to focus on strengthening existing colleges rather than transforming them into universities.

In his remarks, Comrade Oladipupo Omobosola, Chairman of the host chapter, advocated for a collaborative approach among unions in tertiary institutions to address issues affecting the education sector. He suggested joint efforts could be more effective than frequent strike actions in compelling the government to meet their demands.

The conference, themed “Trade Union Practice in the Contemporary Nigerian Tertiary Education Sector: Clogs, Reflections, and Panacea for a Robust Industrial Climate,” was attended by stakeholders, including Professor Abiodun Onilude, who represented Professor Olusegun Akinroye, former Chairman of the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

Onilude urged the government to take proactive steps to prevent strikes and encouraged delegates to remain focused on their objectives.

The event also saw the presence of Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, former Deputy Governor of Oyo State and Chairman of the college’s governing council, Dr. Rauf Salami, Provost of the host college, represented by Deputy Provost Dr. Adekunle Adebiyi, Chief Wasiu Alli, and representatives of SSUCOEN from various colleges of education nationwide.