All might be set for academic activities to return to the campus of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho. If we recall the institution has been on lock and key as a result of industrial action embarked upon by the Unions of the institution over non- payment of Earned Academic Allowances from 2012/2013 session till date, poor funding of the school, lack of infrastructure, poor teaching environment and non payment of subventions from the two owner states of Oyo and Osun for over 20months.

The strike action has left the fate of student in the dark for over 6 months that the institution has been on strike. Speaking with some student on the subject, they lament on the situation which has left many of them hanging in the balance and speaking further some of the students have decried the nonchalant attitude of the two owner governments, while some have decried the actions of the striking union saying they acted too late in voicing out their concerns.

Since the inception of the strike action, efforts have been made by the student from consultation to confrontation all to no success, even raising speculation that the institution might hike its tuition fee.

But there seems to be light after the tunnel, as our sources informed us that the school management has paid 40% of the 2012/2013 session Earned Academic Allowance and he confirmed that they (staffs) received the alert, speaking further on the issue when asked the possibility of the industrial action being called off with this new development, he said in his words "hopefully the industrial action should be called off, but it all depends on the outcome of the ASUU congress that will be conveyed". Speaking on this new development some student also expressed optimism that the strike action would be called off so that academic activities can resume in the institution.

Until the congress of the ASUU is held, we are optimist of a positive outcome from the congress and hope that after the strike action might have been called off, the management and owner governments will not relent in making sure all other parts of the deal are fulfilled.

Wishing you all Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year ahead.


** Oluwatimilehin Gbadurami writes from Faculty of Engineering and Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomosho. **

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