Hello there. This is Naza. In this post, I'll be blogging about the current ASUU strike and how it's affecting Nigerian students. ASUU, which stands for Academic Staff Union of Universities, is an academic organization in Nigeria. The management of interactions between university staff and employers falls under their purview. As a result, the body oversees the majority of federal (public) universities.
I had hopes of finishing my degree in five years when I enrolled in the institution in 2016. Funny how I was counting down the days till I would leave the university and graduate in 2021. I'm still here with my student ID card expiring last year. I've experienced three strike actions in my university years. When will this be over? This has turned into a national disaster. The quality of education to Nigerian students is subpar. We are supposed to be the 'leaders of tomorrow', not so?
These are the words of the late great Nelson Mandela, who said, "Education is the most potent weapon which you can use to change the world." That our leaders don't give these words even the slightest regard is hardly breaking news. It is already a given that almost every academic year, there is at least one strike action or threat of a strike. All Nigerians have the legal right to an education, but where does that right go?
Today makes it the 175th day of the strike, which began on February 14 with a four-week total strike. The strike was just prolonged for an additional four weeks last week. It's the second strike to occur in less than two years with this one. The government's lack of effective solutions is appalling, to put it mildly, but it should come as no surprise considering that many of them have children who are studying and graduating abroad. The FG doesn't even care a whit, leaving the average citizen of the country to face the weight.
Where did we err, exactly? Why is our nation deteriorating so badly and the government is doing nothing about it? A member of the house of representatives recently passed a bill with the title "A Bill for an Act to regulate International Studies for Wards and Children of Nigerian Public Officers, to Strengthen Indigenous Institutions, Provide Efficient Educational Services for National Development; and Related Matters;" however, this bill was rejected. This clearly demonstrates that in this nation, every man is out for himself. It has always been, after all.
ASUU strike in Nigeria did not even start today.. It started in 1988, according to what I've discovered. An organized strike that was held to demand fair pay and an autonomous structure for universities. There have been a minimum of 16 different strike actions since that period up until now. A staggering 16! With disruptions to academic activity occurring virtually yearly, what's the future of the Nigerian youths schooling in Nigeria?
The ASUU strike has a number of causes. The lecturers who are on strike have, among other things, asked for financing for the revitalization of public universities, earned academic allowances, a solution for university accountability transparency, and promotion backlogs. According to my findings, the federal government has not complied with any of these demands.
On the other hand, the strike's effects are still being felt by students. Despite how absurd it sounds, destinies are being manipulated. Many students are lazing about their homes. Remember that the devil's workshop is an idle mind? Others are struggling with mental health issues like anxiety and despair. To be completely honest, if I had gone back home, this would have been my circumstance. It drains you. Many more people actually no longer care about schooling. A good number of people have begun receiving stipends and are unconcerned about returning to class. This can result in a high rate of school failure when the session kicks back.
The recurrent culture of persistent diversions of the learning process in Nigerian schools has been successful in discouraging the hopes and aspirations of its students.
Thanks for reading.