Nigerian universities have been buffeted with agonising months of strikes for over a decade and until now, the story is pretty much the same. Government is still unwilling to give the education sector a shot in the arm.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has been on strike since June 30 and has engaged in a series of dialogue with the Federal Government over 11 times, albeit, inconclusively. This underscores the lukewarm posture of government towards the striking lecturers and from ASUU’s body language and utterances, it has made it abundantly clear to anyone who cares to listen that it is ready to continue the strike even if it takes years, insisting that its decision was adequately taken in a bid to revitalise Nigerian universities.

The bone of contention is lucid in itself. An agreement was reached in 2009 that all federal universities would require a total sum of N1.5tn spread over three years (2009-2011) to address the rot and decay in the universities. But, in the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the union and the government in 2012, the Federal Government decided to extend the gesture to include both federal and state universities. After the 2012 review, it was agreed that instead of N1.5tn, the Federal Government would infuse a total of N1.3tn into the universities over four years. Almost four years down the line, the government has refused to fulfill its end of the bargain. Rather than respond to the issues raised by ASUU that would ensure quick resolution to the imbroglio, government boycotted the union to summon a meeting with Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors of universities, offering them N130bn with a marching order to lecturers to resume work immediately. But the union is insisting that by throwing money at universities in that manner, government has repudiated the 2009 agreement it entered freely with the union and the 2012 MoU. ASUU is not making any fresh demand but has maintained that the 2009 agreement must be honoured.

It is ridiculous that government officials were quoted as saying ASUU’s N1.3tn demand is capable of shutting down the country. No. Their insatiable and rapacious greed will. The private jets in the presidential fleet can fly, centenary celebrations is a priority to government, there’s enough money to pay humongous salaries and allowances to federal legislators and other political office holders, enough to forfeit to oil subsidy thieves, enough to pay militants bogus amnesty cheques and phantom contracts while they continue to bunker our crude oil like never before, there’s enough money to beg Boko Haram to accept amnesty but there is no money for law abiding Nigerian students who want to eke out a living using university education as a stepping stone. It is this kind of attitude from the government that provokes the use of brute force by some regional groups to attract government’s attention to their problems.

Government cannot claim it has no money to fulfill this agreement. A country with 109 senators earning about N19.6bn a year, while N51.8bn is spent on members of House of Representatives for the same period, totalling N71.4bn. This sum, N71.4bn, represents 17.8 per cent of the N400bn yearly intervention fund recommended by the Committee on Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities. Surely, our lecturers and universities where they were trained, deserve more.

When we talk of health care, government officials and the ruling elite go abroad for medical attention; we complain of bad roads, they fly private jets; we of talk power, they run their homes on 24-7 alternative electricity source; now, we’re talking of education, their wards are in some of the best universities abroad. There is no way the myriad of problems bedevilling the country can be tackled if the political elite don’t feel the pangs.

That Mr. President has taken out time from his “busy” schedule to constantly parley with the warring factions of his party but has never sat down with ASUU members to chart a course for Nigeria’s leaders of tomorrow clearly shows his priorities. That indeed is the way of transformative leaders! Party affairs and chasing perceived enemies of his 2015 ambition around with apparatus of state are far more important things than bending over backwards to pander to the legitimate demands of the striking lecturers.

But then, the Jonathan government must bear in mind that, the longer the students remain at home, chances are that they will be lured into social vices. The aftermath can be disastrous for us all.

There are misplaced calls in the some quarters for ASUU to be “reasonable”, accept the Federal Government’s offer and return to the classrooms. Others lambast them for being self-centered and unpatriotic. It is unfortunate that Nigerians are always looking for quick fix solutions to monumental problems. Less endowed countries such as Ghana, Botswana and Angola are making giant strides on all fronts because the citizenry have at one point or the other insisted that the needful be done. Here, anything thrown at us is accepted with glee.

We must get our priorities right as a country. Government must curb its own excesses. Education must be given the attention it deserves. Education of the citizenry should not be subjected to any form of negotiation. Negotiating the education of our leaders of tomorrow is more or less negotiating the future of the country.

Government deliberately wants the strike to linger, first, to blackmail the opposition. There have been several unsavoury comments from the government’s divide of the negotiation table that ASUU has been infiltrated by moles from the opposition, alleging that the strike has lingered to gain political capital. That is how low this government can stoop. We have seen it before. It is an irresponsible government, one that lacks integrity and honesty that will blame the opposition for all its woes. It is unbecoming for the government of the day to continue to heap its failure on the doorstep of the opposition and ASUU strike is just another avenue to paint the opposition black before the public.

Second, is to send a strong signal to other unions who might be contemplating a similar action to have a rethink. Perhaps, government thinks by acceding to ASUU’s demands, other labour unions might toe the same path at the slightest excuse.

Third, the ultimate aim of government is to paint a bad image of the association to Nigerians, at least, for as long as the strike persists. The Governor Gabriel Suswan-led NEEDS Report Implementation Committee mediating on behalf of the government has unfortunately taken a position that is false, dishonest, and calculated to misinform the public and cause disaffection towards the union. Rather than seek cheap popularity, Suswan and the rest of the Federal Government team should toe the path of honour by asking President Jonathan to honour the 2009 agreement. There’s no basis for turning the heat on ASUU and the campaign of calumny.

It calls for worry, that the same government that has always maintained that “our graduates are unemployable” and that our universities churn out “half-baked graduates” finds it difficult to commit the much-needed funds to revamp the universities.

[/color][color=#770077] first to comment!



almost done with my IT nd d strike is still on, divine intervention is wat i seek for cos ds govt is not a promising one

all I want is for d strike to be called off. enough of this stories...

Well said.

The gej government and its 2015 related priorities over the good of the common Nigerian...
A CALL FOR REVOLUTION...datz all

Did i hear u say/suggest that GEJ should sit down/hold meetings with ASUU as he's doing with politicians?. Can he really engage in intellectual discourse?, because to me it seems his PhD is more political than academic.

ASSU is very greedy. Since when have they turned politicians? Do they think Nigerians like the jumbo pay that politicians receive? Yet they want the same. Greedy lecturers

Ada Nri1: ASSU is very greedy. Since when have they turned politicians? Do they think Nigerians like the jumbo pay that politicians receive? Yet they want the same. Greedy lecturers

Childish

Perhaps, government thinks by acceding to ASUU’s demands, other labour unions might toe the same path at the slightest excuse.

ASUU didn't go on strike on the 'slightest excuse'; we need to.understand the timeline of this agreement and steps pressure groups or unions take before taking the ultimate decision of strike. If it was by this logic, the Minisiter of Health would have taken the back seat when health workers went on strike, instead he quickly resolved it.

This stuff is an agreement, an agreement in which GEJ was actually part of the government too. Funny, the Minister of Education can't resolve this stuff alone but both parties did AGREE on ways to implement the demands of ASUU, hence we Madam NOI's 'go ahead' as it concerns money and planning.

Well, ASUU knows the kind of government we have, they can easily renege on agreements; the more reason why those who say lecturers should 'manage', go back to classes continue with the negotiation are wrong - government would not even give them an arm.

Truth is, we don't hold our leaders responsible - they're not really accountable to us. That's why we can continue shuffering and shmiling like 200 million mumus for people who are being taken care of with public resources.

revolution is the right answer to our problems.... lets put aside religion, tribe, or woteva... we need to correct this shit or remain in perpetual poverty till second coming of Christ....

Front page pls, let d world see hw clueless dis government is

This is simply a clever and well written article but unfortunately, with DECEPTION as its ultimate motive. How can anyone claiming any element of sincerity talk about ASUU negotiations and omit the core issues of "EARNED and UNEARNED" allowance?
This is nothin but cheap blackmail by whoever scripted this piece. Every discerning and informed observer knows the issue of funding was settled within the first month of negotiation and the only reason ASUU is still on strike is the issue of Allowance! We all know if their demands for hefty allowances had been approved, the strike would have been called off and negotiations on funding of tertiary institutions would have continued in the sidelines.
Nigerian students need to wake up and realize who their real enemies are, the President does not have to sit down with ASUU - he's got nothing new to add to what his deputies have said, reference to his party negotiations are nothing but cheap blackmail intended to whip up primitive sentiments. ASUU has outlived its usefullness and has become a tool of greed, blackmail and destruction of the destinies of Nigerian youths and just like most institutions in this country has come to symbolize a part of everything that's wrong with us as a nation - Just another body gladly sitting atop the rot of an institutions it's supposed to guard and proud to be doing so!

Ada Nri1: ASSU is very greedy. Since when have they turned politicians? Do they think Nigerians like the jumbo pay that politicians receive? Yet they want the same. Greedy lecturers

I understand your drift,but this post reek of childishness. Yes,ASUU may seem selfish with their demand for increased pay,but look deeper,you find out that their main agitation is for the government to correct the ills and rots endemic in our educational system. Higher pay is just to make their take home pay attractive and motivating.

wts ASUU's own slf.. cnt dey jst collect d one dey'v given dem n let's go back 2 skul.. wt r d lecturers evn teachn dats so special....
Imagine my education is on pause cos of anoda man one collect pocket money ontop my head..
Weda FG is d enemy or not. ASUU shld collect wt dey Av gotten n let's press play....

I'l soon turn 2 buns in dis house

Oko_AGB:

Childish

. What is childish about it?

Danhumprey: I understand your drift,but this post reek of childishness. Yes,ASUU may seem selfish with their demand for increased pay,but look deeper,you find out that their main agitation is for the government to correct the ills and rots endemic in our educational system. Higher pay is just to make their take home pay attractive and motivating.

The government has agreed to that already. The only thing yet to be implemented in their agreement is the allowance, which I heard the govt. released half of. But they want all of it.

What I don't understand is why employee(ASUU) would be dictating to the employer(Government). Something drastic has to be done about the ASUU nonsense. Ilorin treatment should be visited on them.

If the lectuters are tired of working for government, they should resign and move to private universities. Afterall, government does not have monopoly of running education in Nigeria.

I hate it when they compare themselves to politicians. Politicians are representing the people, they(ASUU) are not.

Anybody that wants hefty allowance like the politician should resign his job and join politics.

Ada Nri1: ASSU is very greedy. Since when have they turned politicians? Do they think Nigerians like the jumbo pay that politicians receive? Yet they want the same. Greedy lecturers

The fact that ASUU isn't demanding any thing new justifies their course as regards the strike. They should have known the demands by ASUU could cripple govt. activities when they voluntarily signed the agreement and not just crying foul now by trying to portray ASUU in bad light; the fact that students are at home and desperately want to resume should make it look like it's ASUU who is keeping them at home. Let the govt. be responsible enough by honouring the agreement it reached with them and rather stop beating about the bush

i'm tired of this strike issue................ the strike started on the 1st of july@op

Have they crippled government?

Enough of these ASUU excuse of senators, legislators and other politician being paid with huge salaries and allowances...if as a lecturer what you are earning is not enough then go and bid for a ticket to any public office.and stop juxtaposing lecturers with the public theives.

Osgilliat: Enough of these ASUU excuse of senators, legislators and other politician being paid with huge salaries and allowances...if as a lecturer what you are earning is not enough then go and bid for a ticket to any public office.and stop juxtaposing lecturers with the public theives.

This is exactly my take!

ogeoflyf: wts ASUU's own slf.. cnt dey jst collect d one dey'v given dem n let's go back 2 skul.. wt r d lecturers evn teachn dats so special....
Imagine my education is on pause cos of anoda man one collect pocket money ontop my head..
Weda FG is d enemy or not. ASUU shld collect wt dey Av gotten n let's press play....

I'l soon turn 2 buns in dis house

Just buns? I usually like kpekere ooO!!

Ada Nri1: ASSU is very greedy. Since when have they turned politicians? Do they think Nigerians like the jumbo pay that politicians receive? Yet they want the same. Greedy lecturers

Seriously Childish! Thanks OKO_AGB for that remark. I m sure this particular faceless entity is still in secondary school and lost in some lacuna to misplace her senses(don't know if she is bisexual) and utter cheerfully that ASUU has turned politicians and want to gain from the strike imbroglio. Shame on you, have been overpaid by the coordinating officer of 40 Man Laptopdogs? Even FG can't say or insinuate this. Lemme ask you and your sycophants these questions: who handles contracting & supervision of projects in federal universities? Who stands to gain from it? Who obviously gains from it or earn than reasonably expected?
Answer before thunder strike undergraduates in your immediate family upon ASUU strike!

Just to remind those clamoring 4 ASUU to accept wat has been offered and go back to class, ur Nigerian Bsc is so worthless as it is so much so dat in d united states it can only earn u a place in their undergraduate 1st year.

Ada Nri1: The government has agreed to that already. The only thing yet to be implemented in their agreement is the allowance, which I heard the govt. released half of. But they want all of it.

U must be joking Senior Ada! Haba! The govt agreed to release N100BN unilaterally, which is short of the expected yearly intervention fund. N100BN isn't enough for 60 Universities. Don't let how bogus it is deceive you; NUC will apply preferential treatment in disbursing d funds to d various universities. Each university's share will depend on many factors. Top federal unis. are likely to get a minimum of 2-3BN each which may execute 3,4 or 5 projects after d characteristic embezzling by govt. political agents.
ASUU should press on. The polity is unstable, who knows what may happen next year if they agree now. As a completely education absent-minded govt, no provision was made to implement d agreement in dis year's budget, d same may happen nxt year as much as ASUU care.
D future of education in developed countries is moving at a geometric rate, while in third world Africa at arithmetic rate. It is sad in Nigeria we can't employ funds to equip our universities.
B4 u yab me, dis poser is for u: primary education failed, likewise secondary education, should university education fail as well. I know what I passed tru, ow much time I spent b4 I got admitted, d annual strike, et al but truth be told and examined in holistic manner, education in Nigeria is below par international standards and without a preparation for the future...

Oko_AGB: Just to remind those clamoring 4 ASUU to accept wat has been offered and go back to class, ur Nigerian Bsc is so worthless as it is so much so dat in d united states it can only earn u a place in their undergraduate 1st year.

The question then is; Who and what made it worthless? Since ASUU embraced the madness of embarking on Strike at every whim, what impact have they had on the system? Most observers agree that the deepest rot in the system has happened within the last two decades which coincidentally have been the period of the greatest number of strikes so how has ASUU helped? What changes have they been able to force out of the govt besides increased pay and an increase in the retirement age?
Now to the present, what are the issues? Do you have any idea? Do you even have a clue? The issues of funding and infrastructure were settled within the first month of negotiations, the only reason ASUU are still on strike is the issue of allowance which proves that the whole talk of funding and infrastructure was nothing but a smokescreen to force through their demands for higher wages.
ASUU are a bunch of greedy men tired of seeing politicians fleece the nation and just WANT THEIR SHARE! Any thing else you hear is a big fat lie, it's not about saving education and is certainly isnt about the future of Nigerian youths.

sonickay: U must be joking Senior Ada! Haba! The govt agreed to release N100BN unilaterally, which is short of the expected yearly intervention fund. N100BN isn't enough for 60 Universities. Don't let how bogus it is deceive you; NUC will apply preferential treatment in disbursing d funds to d various universities. Each university's share will depend on many factors. Top federal unis. are likely to get a minimum of 2-3BN each which may execute 3,4 or 5 projects after d characteristic embezzling by govt. political agents.
ASUU should press on. The polity is unstable, who knows what may happen next year if they agree now. As a completely education absent-minded govt, no provision was made to implement d agreement in dis year's budget, d same may happen nxt year as much as ASUU care.
D future of education in developed countries is moving at a geometric rate, while in third world Africa at arithmetic rate. It is sad in Nigeria we can't employ funds to equip our universities.
B4 u yab me, dis poser is for u: primary education failed, likewise secondary education, should university education fail as well. I know what I passed tru, ow much time I spent b4 I got admitted, d annual strike, et al but truth be told and examined in holistic manner, education in Nigeria is below par international standards and without a preparation for the future...

If you're at home cos of the strike please dont be consoled thinking anyone is fighting for you, cos you're in for a rude shock.

Oko_AGB: Just to remind those clamoring 4 ASUU to accept wat has been offered and go back to class, ur Nigerian Bsc is so worthless as it is so much so dat in d united states it can only earn u a place in their undergraduate 1st year.

Tanks man. Its too bad we think of today, from leaders to citizens; we refuse to implement long-term albeit costly policies just to please d polity. Too bad, South Africa is even ahead of us, I just wonder what we have to prove. To me, long ASUU strike is a precinct to quality university education in Nigeria; it is an unavoidable evil that needs fund deliverance.

wesley80: If you're at home cos of the strike please dont be consoled thinking anyone is fighting for you, cos you're in for a rude shock.

how? We must take it or leave it. A long and positive strike to end all is better dan annual strikes my friend.