The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has alleged that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has halted all infrastructural projects in public universities since 2014, following the tenure of former CBN governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. According to ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke, despite allocations for intervention funds intended for tertiary institutions, the apex bank has failed to implement any projects in public universities across Nigeria.

Speaking on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, Osodeke noted that if subsequent CBN governors had emulated Sanusi's approach, there would be no infrastructural deficits in public universities today.

Osodeke stated, “There are many companies that we refer to as cash cows, which reserve funds for community development—like CBN, NNPC, and others. Until Sanusi's leadership, we were unaware that these funds could be allocated to universities. His tenure was marked by significant projects across federal universities, including some of the largest buildings in institutions like the University of Abuja and universities in Jos. But since his departure, the new leadership has not initiated any similar projects.”

He further criticized Godwin Emefiele and Olayemi Cardoso for their lack of action, asserting that if they had followed Sanusi’s example, public universities would have benefitted significantly.

Osodeke questioned, “If what Sanusi accomplished during his time was replicated by other CBN governors, we wouldn't be discussing the need for projects. However, since Sanusi’s exit, funding for university projects has been neglected. The current governor, who has been in office for a year, has yet to implement any initiatives. Where are the projects that should be benefiting our universities?”