By Felix Khanoba
The national leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed disappointment over the decision of a section of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to embark on a strike at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja).
The umbrella students’ body, in a statement signed by its National President, Lucky Emonefe, on Monday, also frowned at ASUU’s eagerness to always embark on strike to the detriment of students, even when various options of dispute resolution mechanisms are available.
NANS, however, expressed delight over the decision of a large number of UniAbuja’s lecturers to shun the strike declared by ASUU, adding that it was ready to support any decision to bring the industrial action to an end.
The statement reads in full: “The National Association of Nigerian Students hereby condemns, in the strongest terms, the internal strike embarked upon by a section of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, UNIABUJA branch.
We wonder why ASUU always embarks on strike actions at the least prompting when other options of dispute resolution are open for consideration.
The fact that the national leadership of the union sanctioned the strike is shocking, disappointing, and very concerning, particularly given the flimsy and patently frivolous reasons adduced for the strike action.
It is extremely saddening and annoying that ASUU always ignores the interests and plight of Nigerian students and parents before opting for their often needless trade actions (just consider that between 2020 and 2023 the Nigerian university system has lost over 16 months to ASUU strikes). This is the height of insensitivity and irresponsibility.
“However, we are happy to note that a large section of the UniAbuja lecturers have rejected and dissociated themselves from the strike action. We equally salute the university’s members of the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) and the Congress of Nigerian Universities Academics (CONUA) for also rejecting the strike. All of you have our support, and we thank you on behalf of the Great UniAbuja Students.
“Our position is that gone are the days when staff of tertiary institutions (both teaching and non-teaching) would so cavalierly down tools and refuse to work, rather than dialogue and amicably resolve grievances. The lack of sensitivity and regard for students, parents, and the education system, is unacceptable and unbecoming of an otherwise union of intellectuals who should have known better.
“Strike actions in our institutions only disrupt, derail, and destroy, but never address any problems. Accordingly, the striking UniAbuja lecturers should see reason and resume work immediately. We commend the House of Representatives Committee on University Education for their prompt intervention in the matter and their call on the striking lecturers to return to work. All men and women of goodwill should be worried about and reject the action of the kill-joy lecturers.
We would also like to assure the Federal Government and the University of Abuja Management of our understanding and support should they take appropriate steps and measures to bring the infamous strike to an end.”
