The incessant face-off between the federal government and the striking academic union workers have been situated around the context of poor funding of the education sector and lackadaisical attitude of the government to implement negotiated agreements with the union.
Hassan Ya’u, a lecturer in the Department of Information and Media studies, Bayero University, Kano, agrees.
“The (current) strike is a setback on Nigeria’s educational system, it has affected the entire academic calendar for this session,’’ he said.
“Students that are supposed to be in classrooms are now redundant at home,” he said. “Even the lecturers are socially affected, They’re idle at home for about eight months now.”
Ms Mohammed of ABU also said “all we are asking for is a fair treatment as teachers and shapers of characters.
“We are not asking for outrageous amounts of gratuities but something that places us above the poverty line.’’
Also, Ibrahim Usman, an associate professor at the Federal University Dutse in Jigawa State, said ‘’one of the effects of the strike is causing loss of interest in our educational system.’’
“Most parents and students have lost interest in the educational system in Nigeria, as those who can afford education outside the country and in private universities have started making moves towards it,” he said.
“No matter how long or short a strike may last, it has adverse effects on the Nigerian educational system.”
Not backing down
Meanwhile, on Sunday, ASUU’s president, Biodun Ogunyemi, reaffirmed the union’s resolve to remain on strike. “Nigerians should bear with us. ASUU is doing their battle,” Mr Ogunyemi said.
“Our Union is struggling to ensure that the children of the poor, who cannot afford the prohibitive cost paid in private universities or do not have opportunities to study outside Nigeria, get quality education which is not priced beyond their reach.”
After two rounds of strikes spanning over four months under the incumbent Buhari-administration, the latest ASUU strike which began in March over the non-payment of salaries of ASUU members who failed to enrol into the federal government’s IPPIS, a payroll software mandated for all public officials, has spanned for eight months.
Infographic two: 50 months of strike since 1999
Eight months on, negotiations between the two parties have continued to be stalled.
Poor funding
The Nigerian education sector has been poorly funded over the years, falling below the standard of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation recommendation (UNESCO).
The global organization proposed that 15 per cent to 20 per cent of annual budgets be earmarked for education. This recommendation, UNESCO said, is to enable nations to adequately cater to rising education demands.
The Nigerian government had failed to meet this recommendation.
This newspaper reported that in the last decade, the highest budgetary allocation to the education sector was 10.7 per cent in 2015.
Infographic three: Education allocation not good enough
The proposed 5.6 per cent in the 2021 budget by President Buhari is the lowest percentage allocation in 10 years.
Rough time, yet productive?
Although BUK’s Rabi has had a rough stay at home, other students told Zarialoaded the strike has opened their eyes to other economic opportunities and soft skills.
Clara Okonkwo, also a student of BUK, said she was able to shrug off the effect of the strike by venturing into catering.
“Seriously it has affected me, I have not been able to study for a while now,” she said. “I’m focused on improving my baking skills and also utilising the services I render on interior decorations.”
Like Ms Okonkwo, Nana Khadijah said she has used the strike as an opportunity to boost her writing skills.
“The strike has stalled a lot of plans, although it has given me space and time to complete my book which is due for publishing now.
“I am also reviewing other materials and hopefully I will start writing another novel before the end of this year. I am not idle,” she said.
Nehemiah Bako, 24, has improved his skills in photography.
“As a final year student, I’d say, the strike has affected me the most. I’ve already planned early this year to venture into full-time studio operations after school, the strike has held me back.
“If the strike continues for long, I’d have to proceed with my business,” he said.
The optimism these students share are, however, in stark contrast with Ms Rabi’s who says she sees no ray of hope.
