Nigeria: With Whom Is ASUU in Conflict?

27 October 2013

It is no longer news that academic activities in public universities in Nigeria have been paralysed in the last 4 months as a result of the industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). With the adverse impact the strike has had on the nation, emotions have taken over and many people are now pleading with the Union to have pity on their suffering students and suspend the strike. Of course, we are all free to favour peace in our campuses but there are a few immediate issues to be noted.

First, can the appeals to ASUU resolve the basis of the crisis? If not, should anyone be surprised to see the issues reopen not far away with another round of strikes? If so, will it be fair for society to blame the teachers for incessant strikes? In other words, anyone that is genuinely interested in the matter ought to first seek to understand the issue at stake now. Whereas ASUU is talking about the non-implementation of a 2009 agreement it reached with government that is yet to be implemented, government's body language is harping on negotiations and dialogue as if that never happened earlier.

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