ASUU STRIKE: A CASE OF TWO ELEPHANTS FIGHTING- BY KAYODE BELLO

 

 In 2009, the major bones of contention between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) were salary increase and adequate funding of the Nigerian universities. Today, as the strike embarked upon by the varsity lecturers lingers the pages of tabloids are awash with similar agitations, such taking over the air and space. It is a known fact that the university educational system is an integral and important part of any nation that expects progress, development, and advancement not only in the entire polity, but also at the level of education, worldwide. This statement is trite and incontrovertible. Recently, one of the ASUU members spoke on a radio programme affirming their agitations are simply intertwined and inseparable: the release of about N90billion for earned allowances, and provision of adequate facilities to improve and revivify the Nigerian universities. Before his affirmations, already the presenter read out the report of the National Economic Empowerment, and Development Strategy (NEEDS) about their findings at the Olabisi Onabanjo Universities (OOU). The report painted the emergency situation in the nation’s tertiary institution in Ogun State. In fact, the report clearly corroborated the agitations of the Academic Union that if the Universities are not well-funded in terms of human and materials resources, then lecturing would no longer be a lucrative and interesting one, as lecturers and students alike would always have reasons to run to places with state-of-the-art facilities.

Further questions were asked to suggest whether the varsity lecturers would soon end the lingering strike, but the ASUU man affirmed they were bent on continuing the strike, being one that had forced the students out of the Universities, claiming one life, an ex-student of the University of Ibadan, after the authorities of the University ordered the students out of the University, due to the strike. She bade the world adieu, en route her abode where she hoped to meet friends, family members, and well-wishers, but as fate would have it, she met her demise: a case of two elephants fighting. It was made known that trillions of naira form the crude oil revenue the country realized in recent times, and that the fund the government had claimed to be injecting into the varsities is the fund already made available in the Education Tax Fund (ETF) in that the government is not being sincere.

Referring to the statements by the Minister of Finance, and Coordinating  Minister for Economy, Mrs. Okonjo Iweala, the Federal Government could not afford the ASUU’s  demands; that such would affect the economy with other contending needs, but ASUU insisted the Federal Government  could afford it, and even more. It seems the face-off may be taking another dimension which is that of blackmail, threats, half truths, and insincerity from either party. This piece is first interested in the issues or some of key issues as already highlighted.  This piece would also peruse into the effects of such on the Nigerian students who are constantly and variously referred to as the future leaders.

Down the memory lane, the issue of ‘gentleman’ agreement entered into by the Academic Union, and Federal Government started before 2009, with the Union accusing the then Yar’adua administration of provoking the 2009 ongoing strike by refusing to sign an agreement it had earlier reached with the Union through the Gamaliel Onosode-led Government negotiating team. One of the bulletins released by ASUU then read:  ’’Our schools from the primary levels lack adequate academic staff because of poor condition of service that discourages several thousands of qualified persons from taking up teaching jobs. Deficiency in facilities and human resources is a major factor that seriously limits the access of qualified students to University education. For instance, just about 153,000 of 1,050,000 qualified candidates representing about 15 percent gained admission into Universities in 2008/09 session. ‘’

Pertinently, if the ASUU’s agitations are truly towards educational improvement, the case of two elephants fighting might be a positive development and gains for the students and the entire educational sector. However, if ASUU is only fighting for earned allowances and what could trickle down their pockets then of what benefits would such be to the students that had stayed at home for more than four months? ASUU opined that there would be students’ unrest if the Federal Government failed to honour the 2009 agreement. One may ask: why would there be students’ unrest? During the ongoing industrial strike action, it was gathered that the Federal Government summoned the Vice Chancellors and Pro-Chancellors to a meeting on how the demands of ASUU could be met. One means discussed, as learnt, was how the Governing Councils could raise the funds which may result into increment in fees payable by the students.

One would be reminded of the 2008 hike in school fees in the University of Ibadan that led to students’ unrest, which culminated in disciplinary cases and other pockets of increment in other institutions in the country then and after: case of two elephants fighting.  Also, this session in the University of Ibadan, though the school fees  could  have been  increased, but that they were not increased made Prof. Isaac Adewole, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, send students outside the University with some facing disciplinary action, and various degrees of victimization, oppression, and threats ongoing in the University due to students’ agitations: possible case of two elephants fighting.

Moreover, as stated, the main concern must always be how this strike would be beneficial to all parties at the end of the day. Who would or would have suffered the brunt: the students, lecturers, government or all parties? Already, the students are at home possibly playing games, watching movies of different sorts (from Nollywood, Hollywood, and Bollywood) visiting aimlessly, engaging in unprofitable ventures and acts or planning how to run away from their fatherland. ASUU and the Federal Government must consider these. Truths, sincerity and openness are needed at this juncture. ASUU has its blames as well as the Federal Government.

It is glaring in some higher institutions that the facilities are dilapidated, and obsolete if available at all. General overhaul of not only the tertiary institutions but also the primary and secondary institutions is urgently and sincerely required.  Countries like   the United Kingdom, United States of America, and Canada take our best brains, not that the brains would immediately become Kings and Queens in those countries, but the brains are being attracted by alluring incentives like pay, studying, working environment coupled with unlimited world of opportunities that facilitate studying and learning. In the words of Prof. Niyi Osundare, a Professor of English Language in the United of States of America, ‘’this country wastes human resources.’’

One thing notable is that the Academic Union must look inward about its ranks and files in terms of sincerity and dedication at work. There are reports of lazy lecturers, and victimizing ones that form part of the Union. It had been said that out of these lecturers, some take up jobs in the existing private universities, conduct researches for other institutions or bodies, or travel out of the country when they are to perform academic activities they are paid for. Researches or other academic activities are imperative, but they must not be at the expense of the ones they are paid for. ASUU must always device other means possible to obtain its demands, as one may conclude that students are always being used as shield.

Furthermore, it seems the Federal Government has not woken up to the reality that not only ASUU, but majority of critical and informed Nigerians know that much fund is accruing from the crude oil and its products. Any average Nigerian that goes into politics believes that the crude oil and its products form the bulk of National Cake, hence the striking lecturers are asking: ‘’where are the excess profits from the crude oil when you are saying you cannot pay us? Are you storing them up for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or for 2015 elections and beyond? Until all the issues are resolved, it may be a case of two elephants fighting the grass at the fighting arena suffers.

Before I rest my case for now, an instruction must always ring in the ears of the various students’ leaders in the country. Agitations are on, and parties would want to win at all cost. ASUU expects the students (who are bearing the brunt already), parents, guardians and all Nigerians to support and understand their agitations and demands, so also the Federal Government would expect the citizenry to understand that ASUU’s demand s are unrealistic. Some of those who might either support or oppose the strike are the students’ leaders.

Hence, the students’ leaders must understand what are and why the agitations plus the overall effects on the educational sector. They must not, as a matter-of-factly, turn the present strike to ‘moneyed’ one to either support or oppose any party by other party. The case of oil subsidy removal in January, 2012, is still fresh in our memories, as many Nigerians see the NLC (Nigerian Labour Congress) and TUC (Trade Union Congress) elements as saboteurs. We must know that already the time of young and promising Nigerians are wasting and ticking away in a land where the rich are getting richer and the poor constantly get poorer due to inequalities, and unjust tendencies. Why waste the time of those unsure of brighter future, employment, equal opportunities, and security of lives and property for themselves and their fellow Nigerians?

First published: Saturday, October 05, 2013.

By Kayode Bello, a Law Graduate, (University of Ibadan, Nigeria, West Africa) +2348037298557, theconsciencenews@gmail.com