ASUU faults conversion of non-teaching staff to teaching cadre in varsities

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has faulted the conversion of non-teaching staff to academic staff by some public universities in Nigeria.

ASUU particularly faulted the process of the conversation, adding that due process had not been adhered to in the exercise.

The ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, made this known at a press conference in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, on Friday, August 14, 2026.

Piwuna said: “Our attention has been drawn to the upsurge of Registrars, Bursars and other administrative and technical staff converting to academic staff in public universities without following due process.

“Often, these categories of staff may claim academic status for reason of undergoing postgraduate programmes.

“In certain instances, Deputy Registrars with PhD degrees got converted to Lecturer I at the point of entry with personalised salaries.”

Piwuna added that there were instances of registrars being converted to senior lecturers or readers with the excuse of presenting some questionable publications and records of proxy teaching.

I paid my university fees with proceeds from goat — Dino Melaye

He said ASUU was not against the move, but advised that due process and merit should be followed in the conduct of such exercise.

Piwuna explained that where the laws permitted for conversion, such moves were usually treated as fresh appointments.

Piwuna added: “ASUU finds this trend highly disturbing, and so calls on Vice Chancellors and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to live up to their billings and put a firm stop to the anomaly.

“We are not averse to changing career lines in the universities, however, non-teaching staff who wish to change to teaching cadre should participate in selection interviews guided by extant conditions and criteria.”

He said while academic qualification was a prerequisite for recruitment into lectureship, it was not sufficient.

The ASUU boss, who acknowledged the paucity of academic staff in public universities, insisted that only qualified persons should be allowed to lecture.