The declaration, on Monday, of a one month warning strike by the members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has created tension across the country.
The industrial action, according to the President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osadoke during a press briefing, was the decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the union aimed at driving home their demands from the federal government.
According to Prof. Osadoke, “The NEC of our union had resolved to embark on a four-week total and comprehensive strike beginning from February 14. That is the resolution of the last NEC meeting held on February 12 and 13.”
He continued, “The patience of our members has been dragged beyond a tolerable limit.”
Some of the agitations by the academic union include federal government’s failure to implement the agreement it signed with ASUU in 2009, poor salary payment, poor release of funds for the building of infrastructure in universities and non-payment of earned academic allowances.
Other issues are their call for the use of Universities Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) instead of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System by the federal government for the payment of academic staff’s wages and for staff biometric data base.
The development has not only generated tension in the minds of undergraduates and their parents but has also created anxiety around the entire Nigeria’s education system, going by the far reaching implications it is likely to produce.
With the commencement of the one-month warning strike on Monday, academic calendar has been disrupted in all public universities in Nigeria while those who are due for the mandatory one year National Youth Service may not proceed for scheme.
Those on research courses have also been affected even as the various campuses are to be deserted.
This is also taking into account that many students are already trailing behind their supposed period of graduation after spending two or three extra years on campus.
The future of the nation is also hanging precariously as the two sides on the negotiation table have refused to shift ground to achieve a lasting stability in our universities and uninterrupted academic calendar.
The ever rising insecurity in parts of the country is the reason why the federal government should have put all negotiation mechanism in place to prevent the strike.
Making the position of Nigerian students known on Monday, the President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Comrade Asefa Sunday described the development as great disappointment, pointing out that Nigerian students would not accept the strike.
He condemned the federal government for not being able to nip the strike in the bud and also condemned ASUU for not considering the interest of Nigerian students.
“We are disappointed with ASUU for reaching this conclusion, irrespective of implications to the staff, academic calendar, research they claim to love, national security and sanity. Government and ASUU by this action sent a direct message to Nigerian students to also take positions.”
Comrade Sunday warned that , “We will fight this impunity and recklessness without any consideration other than an immediate end to this strike”, telling Nigerians to expect their actions from February 17.
If the threat of the NANS leader is anything to go by, the nation may be in slide into unimaginable security crises unless the demands of the students are considered.
Solution to it can not be achieved through any other avenue if not an immediate return to negotiation table by the federal government and ASUU for the academic staff to return to classes.
This position is not far fetched when the 2020 End SARS protests is remembered.
How a peaceful EndSARS protest that was organised to protest the killings of innocent Nigerians and the maiming of others, was hijacked by hoodlums in various States of the federation to wreck havoc on public property, is still vivid in the minds of Nigerians.
Many innocent youths were also killed during the EndSARS protests while several public property, especially Police stations and prison facilities were set ablaze, leading to escape of criminals in those custodies.
More spectacular was the Lekki gate shooting of protesters by military men, though the federal government has continued to deny the reports that people were killed at Lekki.
It is of note that a good number of early participants in End SARS were university undergraduates and this is why the threat by the NANS should not be ignored.
Significantly, the nation is presently facing an upsurge in the cases of money ritual practices among the youths and allowing this strike to go on would lead students to be misled into one social vices or another.
Regular industrial action could also dwindle the interest of the students to study and result to high incidence of dropping out by undergraduates.
Speaking to News Echo on their decision, Prof. Emmanuel Osadoke, the President of ASUU who teaches at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State said the strike by his members was the best way to go, if education would be saved in Nigeria.
He appealed to Nigerian students, parents and other stakeholders for understanding.
Osadoke, who is a Professor of Soil Science slammed the federal government for consistently betraying the sincerity and sacrifice of ASUU members.
Also, the Chairman of ASUU at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Prof. Chike Ugwuene cried out that federal legislators and most political appointees in Nigeria are receiving more wages than university lecturers. “The records are there to vindicate us. A Professor now earn below $1000 per month when compared to the jumbo take home of legislators and other appointees.”
Prof Ugwuene went on, “Are you not aware that the salaries of National Assembly members increased on yearly basis? But the federal government is still dribbling the academic staff.”
In an interview, the Chairman of ASUU in Abia State University, Uturu, Dr. Victor Nkemdirim told Nigerians to hold the federal government responsible for the the industrial action they have embarked upon.
Raising the alarm, a Bishop of Methodist Church Nigeria and president of Vision Africa Radio station, Umuahia, Bishop Sunday Onuoha said it was a shame that the federal government could not agree with ASUU.
He warned that the insecurity in the nation may worsen if students are allowed to roam the streets.
A final year micro biology at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Kennedy Uzondu who could not hide his disappointment, lamented that some of his friends in other universities have since finished their youth service and he is still here trying to take his final exams.”
Kennedy bemoaned that poor parents are being strained the more and appealed for immediate resolution of the matter.
Speaking to News Echo on the effect of the strike on prospective NYSC members, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NYSC in Abia State, Mr. Nnachi Omaka said the Abia State coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Dennis Jingi is in the right position to respond to the issue.
He however acknowledged that participating graduates are sent to the NYSC from their schools before they are mobilised for service.
At students affairs office of Abia State University, Uturu, some non-academic staff were still seen attending to some students who came for clearance purposes.
Some non-academic staff were also met on duty.
A female non-academic staff explained that those students who are through with their financial and academic clearance before the one month warning strike would be mobilised for youths service even if ASUU strike continues.
“ASUU strike is not NYSC strike.”, said the non-academic staff.
But the same could not be said of the academic staff, as they joined the warning strike.
Meanwhile, the minister of Labour and productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige said the striking lecturers embarked on illegal leave, explaining that they are employees of the federal government.
This position by the minister produce more crises than solution.
