A group of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities have warned that the lingering strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities could lead to disastrous consequences for the nation.
In a letter on Monday, the group urged the Federal Government and ASUU to come together and resolve the impasse.
BASIC FACTS
- ASUU has been on strike for more than six months now, while the public universities in Nigeria have grinded to a halt.
- ASUU is seeking improved welfare, revitalisation of public universities and implementation of the reviewed 2009 agreement.
- Alumni of Nigerian Universities is asking FG and ASUU to come to an agreement to end the strike action.
WHAT WE KNOW
A body of Alumni associations of Nigerian Universities have warned that the prolonged ASUU strike carries grave danger for the nation.
The body, which spoke through a letter on Monday, urged the FG and ASUU to quickly resolve the lingering dispute.
The Alumni Associations expressed worry over the now over six months crises between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government and the continued closure of universities in Nigeria.
The group in a letter signed by the executives stated that no nation wanting to get to the Promised Land, and indeed aspiring to be a member of the comity of enlightened nations would toy with education.
They stated that globally, education is government-driven followed by other linked chains like lecturers, parents, students and other stakeholders. In this connection, the associations called on the Federal Government to urgently put in place a mechanism to holistically address the concerns and demands of the striking lecturers and other University staff.
The group further drew the attention of government to the recurrent crises in the country, especially the spate of terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, money rituals, prostitution, and other social vices, and noted that these are some of the consequences of youths not being critically engaged.
NOTABLE QUOTES
In the letter released on Monday, the Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities said, “A situation where millions of students are locked out of campuses portends a grave danger for the country,
“The Association call on the Presidency to wade into the matter as a matter of utmost concern so that all contending issues are speedily and expeditiously resolved.”
“On the other hand, the Association is pleading with the leadership of ASUU to sheath its sword and recall its members back to the universities as they have made their point.
“The opinion of the members of the public generally is in favour of resumption of academic activities in the universities that have been closed for over six (6) months now.”
COMMENTARY
The Academic Staff Union of Universities have been on strike for over six months now.
ASUU is protesting the non implementation of agreements reached with the federal government of Nigeria.
Recall that until very recent, other unions in the universities have also been on strike. Members of SSANU and NASU only recently resumed after over five months of strike. However, Clariform News desk confirms that inspite of the resumption, government is yet to start implementation of the agreements reached.
The Nigerian Federal Government need to show more commitment to the education of her citizens. It’s unimaginable that after six months of strike, the president is yet to show a serious 8interest in the matter.
A serious government would have long sacked the ministers of education and labour for their lackluster in resolving this lingering crisis.
TAKEAWAY
The lingering debacle between the lecturers and the federal government have almost completely crippled what is left of the university system in Nigeria, which has never really been anything to celebrate.
Clariform has been following developments around the industrial action by ASUU for over time and can report that the lecturers are making a legitimate demand for the uplifting of the universities and educational system in the country.
Level of education in Nigeria is too poor that most Nigerians have resorted to trooping out of the country in their numbers in search of quality education, especially at the tertiary level.
It is so bad that a smaller neighboring country like Ghana has become an academic heaven for Nigerian students looking to better their lives with improved learning environment.
So, one would wonder – with all the resources available in Nigeria, what exactly is Ghana getting right in their educational system that Nigeria has found incapable of doing? Clariform investigation only points to corruption in governance and insincerity of government.
