By Uzair Adam Imam
The unending disagreement between the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and the Federal Government is increasingly generating reactions from students and eminent stakeholders across the country on the fate of Nigeria’s university education. In this special report, The Daily Reality gathered different and shocking responses of the students, concerning the lingering issue.
The incessant strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been denounced as a farce that has negatively weakened the students’ morale to further their education in Nigeria.
The menace was also described as one of the most lingering issues that has been paralysing Nigerian universities, leading to the delay in students’ graduation and the deterioration of the education system in the country.
Some students that took to their social media to decry about the menace and how it slowly spirited their confidence away argued that the strike has destroyed the future of many promising youths in the country.
The Daily Reality recalls that ASUU has been on strike since February 14th, 2022, over the demands that include funding and the revitalization of public universities, Earned Academic Allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) and promotion arrears.
In 2020, the union reportedly suspended its nine-month-long strike after reaching an agreement with the Federal Government.
However, the union bitterly complained that still after a year the federal government is yet to fulfil its promises.
Students are disappointed!
The ASUU strike has disappointed many students and led to the delay in their graduation, the development the students complained had spirited away the remaining confidence they had for studies.
A final year student, Abdurrashid Adamu, decried that, “I have less than six months to graduate from the university. Had I knew of this hitch to my studies, I would have embraced my diploma certificate and that would have been enough for me.”
Another student, Usman Idris Zakariyya, disclosed how ASUU strike has affected him and his friends saying, “many of my friends confided in me that they would not resume if not because they were in 400 level.”
Zulyadaini Auwal, a student who said he had already lost hope, stated that his business will experience a hitch if ASUU calls off their strike.
Khadijatu Abdullahi stated that she has no interest in studies anymore, adding that “had it been I was in 100 or 200 level I would have switched to college of education.”
People are mocking us – students
Some students also lamented the way some people derived very much pleasure in mocking them as the strike seems to have no end in a near future.
A student, Taufiq Musa, bemoaned at the way some people mock them because the ASUU’s strike lingers to about five months.
He stated, “nowadays, people used to mock anyone who determines and concentrates more on studies rather than something else.”
Yusuf Hassan, who seemed to be frustrated, said, “had it been I knew of this hitch in my studies, I would have not enrolled to school, let alone acquiring a diploma certificate.”
Saleh Ibrahim opined that he would have not resume to school if he was in 100 or 200 level, adding that, “and I’m sure many students will not resume.”
Parents raise alarm!
As the strike looks perpetual, some parents lamented that the advancing crisis between the government and ASUU jeopardizes their children’s future.
A parent, Malam Adamu Kolo, who looked disturbed by the unending strike, said that his son would have graduated if not for ASUU incessant strike.
Malam Adamu Kolo said, “My son would have graduated this year if not because of ASUU incessant strike. You can see that I am poor. I am hopeless. Our hope is on this boy.”
Another parent, Malam Musa Mukhtar, said, “our children live with almost no or gloom future. They neither go to school nor do they have anything to do for a living.”
ASUU members amidst hunger, heavy debt
As the strike persists to about four months, ASUU members decried leaving amidst hunger and heavy debt.
The lingering strike led to the imposition of No-Work-No-Pay by the Federal Government. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, stated that the directive was in compliance with Section 43 of the Labour Law.
A Senior Lecturer with the Department of Nigerian Languages, Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Abdullahi, lamented how some of the members live without water and light due to heavy bills accrued.
He stated, “I remember how during the whole month of Ramadan, with the scorching sun and harsh temperature, lecturers languished with dry pockets and no salaries. Many lecturers didn’t have a chance to sew new Sallah (Eid) dresses for their kids, not even for themselves. Yet, another Sallah is approaching without any remorse or sense from this lousy government and its handlers.”
“The Maikantis (petty traders) selling raw rice, beans and other groceries no longer want to see us by their doors. Some of us have already forgotten toothpaste and have opted for chewing sticks now to remain clean.
“Our children have been sent out of schools due to non-payment of school fees. Landlords have knocked and banged on the doors of many; we pacified them, and some of them reason with us,” Sulaiman adeed in a piece he wrote.
No date for resumption
In a recent interview with journalists, the ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said there was no date for resumption, adding that hunger will not force the union to suspend their strike.
He added that the ASUU members are not beggars and the stoppage of their salaries by the government will not force them to call off their strike.
He further commended the members for keeping faith with the union expressing optimism that the union was on the threshold of victory.
However, some news of positive progress concerning ASUU and FG have started to fill social media and there is hope now that the strike may end soon. An ASUU member confirmed to TDR that talks between the FG and ASUU seem positive and now ASUU has already concluded its own part of the agreement, they are now patiently waiting for FG’s response.
