The news of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)’s indefinite strike spread across the nation like wildfire. To say it was a surprise to many students would be utter litotes. Imagine attending class on Friday, then finding out on Monday that school was cancelled until God knows when.
Growing up in Nigeria, I automatically assumed that ASUU embarking on strike was banal. In my eyes, it seemed a rite that every student must experience or overcome.
I grew up listening to lamentations from older cousins who would come to spend time with us during the strike ‘This ASUU sef only God would judge them, punishing innocent students like this’, they would say.
From my short-sighted perspective, it didn’t take long for the notion that ASUU was an association filled with strike-loving people to be etched in my mind.
A conversation with one of my well-read friends changed this course of thinking and opened my eyes. It was a bit like waking up one day and realising Santa Claus didn’t exist. I decided to do some research on my own to confirm or oppose his statements.
Why is ASUU on strike? – my question begs.
According to the UN, United Nations at least 26% of the national budget of any country who has sworn to be committed to the education of its citizens, should be allocated to education.
It is rather alarming that in the 2017 national budget, less than 5% was allocated to education. It seems that the government is enjoying taking kangaroo steps towards the development of the educational sector as the allocation has moved from 11% in 2015 to 8% in 2016 and now less than 5% in 2017. Hey, now don’t be like that. Look on the bright side- at least they are being consistent with the gradual decrease.
(Image Source: Premium Times Nigeria)
The government’s lackadaisical commitment to its educational sector is evident in the lack of facilities in universities from unequipped departments, hostel conditions that are far too terrible to be prison cells in some developed countries, ancient/non-existent laboratories, the list goes on, I could write a whole article on that alone.
This is not the only factor contributing to ASUU’s decision to embark on an indefinite strike starting from August 13, 2017.
According to The National President of ASUU, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, the 540 billion Naira in total allocated to education in 2017 is a far cry from the 610 billion Naira previously being owed by the government.
He stated that this is “A deliberate attempt to turn Nigerian academics to beggars and people of unsure footing must therefore be resisted by all who care about the future of our children and the transformation of our country”
The government also had a 1.3trillion Naira revitalization agreement since 2013 with ASUU and is still owing 605 billion Naira as at the third quarter of 2016. Among the issues ASUU has raised this time are the 2009 agreement and 2013 MOU are; earned academic allowances; registration of Nigerian universities pension management company and pension matters; owing of staff salaries, with the little being paid, not paid fully, among others. It is evident that these issues are fundamental issues worth fighting for, and we as citizens should try to support ASUU by mounting pressure on the government also to give them what belongs to them.
‘Ti erin meji ba n ja, koriko lo ma foriko’, translation: ‘When the two elephants are fighting, it’s the grass beneath that suffers ‘. The grass being referred to are the students forced to sit at home.
It’s not news that the government takes delight in playing ping pong with our lives. And this issue of ASUU on strike would most likely not affect them in any way since they can afford to send their kids to private universities or schools in “the abroad”.
To an average Nigerian student, though the educational system is shit “they should sha let us finish our programmes and be going.” Many students were either preparing for their exams before the strike commenced or were already in the middle of it.
With the current situation in the country, where ethnical conflicts are beginning to gain ground, little is being said about the ongoing strike and the light at the end of the tunnel seems to be getting dim.
That being said, my Dear Nigerian student, I would tell you what my Yoruba mother told me, ‘Just be praying.’ And yes that statement infuriates me too.
