“The total capital appropriation each to the FMEHQ and 19 select Federal Government Secondary Schools is more than the capital votes of 39 Federal universities, 24 Polytechnics and 21 Federal Colleges of Education put together. Similarly, the capital appropriation to Mass Literacy Agency was approximately equal to that of the 39 Federal Universities,” Dr Fagge said.

On the condition of State universities, ASUU noted that many state governments have abandoned their primary responsibility of payment of salaries of staff and provision of infrastructures for the institutions in recent times.

Dr. Isa told reporters that many of the universities, including Niger Delta University, Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Tai Solarin University of Education and Imo State University owe staff salaries and subventions running into between five and 10 months.

He added that other universities including Gombe State University, Kebbi State University, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Adamawa State University, and Osun State University are receiving salary subventions that fall far short of their needs to run properly.

The Union noted that the recommendation in the Federal government agreement with ASUU that each State university shall require approximately N3.6 million per student for the period 2009 to  2011 inclusive of recurrent and capital grants has not been complied with.

“Regrettably, Visitors to State Universities have failed to fulfil this expectation. In most cases, funds for payment of salaries, though approved in State Budget are diverted to other uses.

“This unhealthy practice has continued to force university administrators to pay salaries largely with Internally Generated Revenue, IGR which is often not enough. Capital Development has been left at the mercy of Intervention funds from TETFund and the recent Needs Assessment Intervention Funds,” said ASUU.

The Union noted that with the development, industrial action now looms across the State universities.

“Our members at these  universities have become restive, not only on matters of non payment of salaries, but also on the consequences of the poor funding for the quality of graduates being pushed into the polity,” the Union warned as it appealed to visitors to state universities to come to terms with the challenge of enormous funds needed to ensure high quality education.