• By Emmanuel Olaoluwa

In what has come to be a widespread sensation in the last few days, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has made recursive threats to embark on a fresh strike action consequent upon the Federal Government’s refusal to meet her long-spelt demands. 

While it is safe to conjecture that the body’s reanimated efforts at having their needs materialized is a tactical move (given the characteristic indulgence of the political elites each election or campaign year), what seemed, however, to be an inventory of unrealistic demands to a stubborn FG side has further stalled a permanent truce and even betrayed a quick fix. The consequence of this prolonged stalemate, as evinced by similar altercations in previous years, is a particularly telling hiatus in students’ studies and – needless to say – a prodigious havoc to the already dysfunctional educational system.

Doubtless to say, Nigeria is perhaps one of the few countries with the longest record of strike action in the world. The culmination of these halts in studies over the years is marked by continuous dwindling and retrogression, and each looming strike is a step further towards the precipice. The given constant of this occurrence every academic session needs must be averted and urgent measures must thus be taken on the dire situation.

The bulk of the responsibility in providing adequate funding and ensuring better working conditions solely rests on the government. While solid policies exist to guarantee the surfeit excesses of the ruling elites, a more inclusive scope that accommodates the concerns of those helping to build the leaders of tomorrow is definitely as, if not more, pivotal. This can only happen when the government is intentional in seeing the growth in the academic sector. While top policymakers luxuriate in wealth, they need must remember that what is good for the goose is as well good for the gander. If not, lecturers, through the body in question, are left with no other potent option than to embark on that journey of misery. 

The process of reshaping academia does not also exclude the millions of the nation’s rank-and-file. Informed decisions must be made every election year. Blind candidate or party allegiance is the pathway to destruction but conscientious voting for well-intentioned individuals is the way to keep out demagogues from ascending the political throne.

While many have blamed the association for utilizing strike actions as its only weaponry against the federal government, even the accusers are yet to devise more effective measures to deal with the years-long plague. A strike is but a last resort after a series of fruitless negotiations and dialogues. Some may disagree, but there is perhaps no other measure that shows intention and seriousness. This does not mean the teaching body could not be a little more considerate – particularly of the students – in times when all efforts hit a dead-end. Thus, the lecturers, are as much obliged by the category of people indited erstwhile. For it takes only a united front to achieve the most seemingly impossible of dreams.