“We hope that ASUU will sympathize with the people on the prolonged strike. Truly, enough is enough for keeping students at home. Don’t hurt the next generation for goodness sake.” Those were the words from the president of a giant that never was – Nigeria. Funny as it sounds, the “enough” lies with them.
To just fulfil the requirements and get us back into classrooms. Are you oblivious of the ongoing conflict between the two parties? Are you yet to know the bone of contention? You don’t know who to blame at this point? Let’s get down memory lane.
History of ASUU Strike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU is a union which emerged in the late 70s in replacement of the Nigerian Association of University Teachers. With its branch across all Federal and State universities in the country, ASUU is a union that has been in disagreement with every successive administration in the country for one reason or the other.
The first-ever experienced ASUU strike took place in 1988 against the military government for equitable salary and the autonomy of the Nigerian university. This strike was called off in 1990 and students returned. The second ASUU strike took off in August 1992 and ASUU was banned for the second time, even though the strike spate through September 1992. Several strike actions took place from 1995 to 1997; however, let’s consider the latest once – from 1999 till date.
- 1999 ASUU Strike: A 5-months ASUU strike took place shortly after the inauguration of Obasanjo as the president.
- 2000 ASUU Strike: In December 2002, a 2-weeks ASUU strike took place as a result of the failure of the Obasanjo administration to implement the agreement made with the union from the last strike action.
- 2003 ASUU Strike: Underfunding the varsities and low wages and pension led the union to another strike in 2003, lasting more than 5 months.
- 2005 ASUU Strike: A 2 weeks strike took place in 2005 which sent students home as always.
- 2006 ASUU Strike: Preceded by a 3-day warning strike, the union went on another strike in 2006 which lasted for seven days.
- 2007 ASUU Strike: As a result of the failure to implement earlier agreements, the union embarks on another strike in March 2007 which also took more than two months before getting called off.
- 2008 ASUU Strike: Attributed to fair wages and reinstatement of lecturers, the AASUU strike of 2008 lasted for a week.
- 2009 ASUU Strike: You must have been consistently hearing about this special strike. Of course, this is the strike that gave birth to the famous “ASUU/FG agreement of 2009” Starting in early June, the strike was called off in late October, spatting through 5 months.
At this point, we’ve had enough, let’s just give an overview of others – duration and cause (if available)
- 2010 ASUU Strike: Took place for more than four months (July to January 2011)
- 2011 ASUU Strike: December 2011 – February 2012 (more than a month)
- 2013 ASUU Strike: As a result of retirement age, university funding, and other salient demands the 2013 strike lasted five months.
- 2017 ASUU Strike: August – September (a month) due to unresolved issues.
- 2018 ASUU Strike: Indefinite strike, starting in 208 and ending in February 2019 due to the inability of the government to meet the union’s demand.,
- 2019 ASUU Strike: You must remember this special one too. Yes! The one that comes with the Covid-19 pandemic. Started in March 2020 and ended in December 2020 as a result of the IPPIS platform, poor university funding, and other pressing matters.
- 2022 ASUU Strike: Now, the one they say is enough. Started on February 14, 2022, and described as “extensive and thorough”, the 2022 ASUU is exactly the way it was described. The strike I
The strike actions over the years have dwarfed the academic calendars of our federal and state universities across the country. Then, who exactly do we blame for this?
Who to blame for ASUU Strike
“We despise seeing our students at home. We don’t want our academic schedules to be interrupted, but our expectations aren’t being satisfied.”
Those were the words of the ASUU president when he announced the ongoing strike.
According to Dennis (@awajis.com) quoting the National Association of Universities Teachers (1978), the previous strike actions have always been due to failure to pay the necessary wages and allocations, underfunding of the universities, inadequate infrastructures, deterioration of university autonomy and academic freedom, poor remuneration framework and allowances, and mismanagement of universities.
Most of these, of course, is to be blamed on the government. Giving fairness a chance, however, the labour union has been acting way too far. The mismanagement of allocated funds and its dictatorial tendencies has been reportedly the cause of some of these strikes.
Yet, the question is: Why have these demands remained insatiable for so long?
The ongoing and not-appearing-to-end-soon strike, which has now started receiving sympathies from all corners is reportedly due to the following reasons: IPPIS over UTAS, 2009 agreement which encompasses revitalization of universities, earned allowance, the better financial backing of state universities, and promotion arrears.
Before you decide who’s at fault, do you even know what ASUU is doing regarding the well-being of the students? Are you aware of the fees proposed by the government which were rejected by this union?
Generally, ASUU is a trade union whose objectives include regulation of relations between academic staff and employers; encouraging the participation of its members in the affairs of the university system and the nation, protecting and advancement of the socio-economic and cultural interests of the nation; and ensuring proper Human Resource Development in Nigerian Universities, among others.
Is enough really enough?
Now, here is our president sympathizing and appealing to the union to call off the ongoing strike – presently in its 6th month. Is enough really enough?
After the academic calendar has been disrupted? After two Jambites have met at the entrance of the universities? After our prospective graduates are already disappointed? After the academic activities in the federal universities were halted? What more to say? After our supposed future leaders are made to stay at home engaging themselves in whatever they can lay their hands on?
Enough is never enough!
Let the strike continues till we all get tired. Let the union action continue until there is no one to talk about it again. Let the strike go on and on until things get out of hand. Let the strike continue until our scholars are denied a scholarship because they couldn’t provide their results manuscripts. Then, let’s see what becomes of this dependent nation.
As described by the eminent scholar, Professor Farooq Kperogi, the continued ASUU Strike is a Shame on All of Us.
It should be known that “ASUU’s right to strike ends once the students’ right to education starts!”
Abdulmumin Solihu
abdulmuminsolihu@gmail.com
