The perennial conflict between the government and the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) has become a deeply ingrained tradition in Nigeria’s education system.
This is as a result of the government’s apparent disregard for the welfare of staff in tertiary institutions, particularly universities. The strikes have consistently hindered progress in the education system, with the first recorded strike occurring in 1988 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.
This initial strike by ASUU was to address three key demands from the government comprising: the implementation of the Elongated University Salary Scale (EUSS), establishment of a robust committee for joint negotiations to resolve crises between the Federal Government and university staff and granting of university autonomy.
In response to the strike, the military government, led by General Babangida and his Minister of Education, Professor Jibril Aminu, attempted to ban ASUU and seize its properties. ASUU members faced severe maltreatment, including detention, torture, and seizure of passports. Notable victims of that era included Professor Attahiru Jega, Dr Festus Iyayi and Dr F. Dimowo (late).
Despite the severe maltreatment faced by key leaders of the union under the military dictatorship, the ASUU struggle persisted. In response, the union sought alternative means to safeguard the welfare of university staff, leading to the establishment of the University Lecturers Association (ULA).
Unfortunately, the long and agonising battle between the government and ASUU has yet to reach its final stages since the establishment of the union. Now, every democratic administration has witnessed ASUU going on strike. When will the university strikes finally come to an end in the Nigerian universities? Don’t we have a Ministry of Education in Nigeria? Can’t they develop long-term plans to avert crises in education sector?
The previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari exacerbated and worsened the ASUU situation by employing tactics and strategies that undermined the education system. These actions included the withholding of salaries and unnecessary litigations matters in court, which only served to prolong the issues beyond a reasonable resolution time.
Regrettably, the government and parents in Nigeria have continually viewed ASUU as an adversary to the country’s education sector. It is often forgotten that ASUU’s struggles extend beyond staff welfare to encompass the interests of parents, students, and the very survival of the education sector.
During his campaigns, when President Bola Tinubu made a pledge to bring an end to strikes in Nigeria’s varsities, members of ASUU, parents and students had reason to believe that a new era of positive change was forthcoming.
Recently, ASUU issued a notice strike to the Federal Government. The current strike notice presents another challenge for the Tinubu government to address the longstanding issues plaguing Nigeria’s education system.
The government of President Tinubu is urged to honour and fulfill its promise of a strike-free academic calendar in Nigerian universities by acceding to the legitimate demands of ASUU.
Sale Rusulana Yanguruza, Department of Mass Communication, Borno State University.
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