ASUU STRIKE: What it means for students

By Oluwafunmilola Onabanjo

Imagine gaining admission into any Nigerian university to study a four-year or even a 5-year course. You’re excited to be a fresher. You see yourself getting employed immediately after you graduate. The latest “Corper wee” in town. You’ve made all these plans only for ASUU to be the stumbling block in those dreams you’ve envisioned. Very tiring right?

In recent years now, there’s barely any semester that  students don’t experience strike. It has got to the stage where you hear students saying things like, “I’m tired”, “I just want to graduate”, “I don’t know if I want to continue schooling at this rate”, “I’ve lost every vibe to be a serious student” and many more. 

The ongoing face-off between ASUU and the Federal Government isn’t helping matters as well. Their relationship illustrates the story of two powerful elephants who are always at loggerheads with each other. Both want to show who is superior in their own space without regard to the grass being trampled upon.

Who is right between both parties?

Although, it is justifiable for lecturers to be angry due to the inability of government to honour previous agreements bordering on welfare, poor education funding, collapsed infrastructure in public universities and funding of state universities. Yet, it makes one wonder if strike is the only way they could air their grievances. Government, on the other hand, believes  strike is illegal because they weren’t given the mandatory notice.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige told the union:  “If you withdraw services and you still want to be paid, it is corruption. Or is that not corruption?”

It makes one ask:  “What about those warning strikes and meetings held with the federal government?” Even without these meetings, isn’t it appropriate to pay them?  But who bears the brunt of all this mess? Of course, the students. They suffer the consequences which may be physical, mental, psychological or emotional.

Implications of the  strike on  students

It is typical how a two-week strike leads to a six-month full strike in our universities. Nevertheless, students try to remain positive with the hope that government might reflect on these issues and do what is necessary. Sadly, the resolutions never come on time. 

Here is the impact of these strikes on students:

1.Delay: Students are likely to spend more years studying a particular course that is supposed to take four or five years. Not forgetting that there’s an age limit for graduates that would be going for NYSC and even in employment opportunities.

2.Gradual loss of motivation and passion for education. Imagine a country where the youths start losing interest in education, such a country will be retrogressive.

3.Mental and psychological distress: Students’ orientation of education starts to change. They will begin to question the reasons they are in school in the first place. Others will start to feel disturbed seeing their counterparts or juniors forging ahead  in other institutions that aren’t affected by strikes.

4.Wastage of rent fee: Many just renewed their hostel and apartment fees.  And it’s no news that houses in Lagos cost a  fortune. Hence,  it will be painful if the strike takes too long.

5. Avenue for immoral acts: “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” For as many students that would want to stay back in school after a strike begins, there are high chances of getting involved in immoral acts such as cohabiting with their boyfriends, drug abuse, clubbing and  other unethical practices.

To avoid these dangers and ensure a thriving educational system, we beseech the Federal Government to address the  issue. It is hoped that they respond swiftly to the union’s demands.

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