The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government have chosen a new date to hold their usual talks concerning the prevalent ASUU strike embattling all Nigerian public Universities.
The most recent strike action by ASUU has seen all academic activities being shut down in Nigeria since February 14, 2022.
ASUU’s fight with the Federal government has been described by many to have become a tradition in the Nigerian academic system. However the most recent set of strikes is according to ASUU, attributed to the Federal government’s inability to meet agreements they made with the union as far back as 2009.
IMPORTANT: You can now Click “HERE” to receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
The President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration has supervised some of the longest reigns of ASUU strikes in the history of Nigeria.
In the year 2020, ASUU embarked on a ten-month-old strike which was later called off in December 2020 after several meetings. Although the 10 months was largely covered by the COVID-19 lockdowns which kept all Nigerians in their homes for the larger part of the year.
In recent years according to data checked by INTEL REGION, the 2020 ASUU strike of 10 months is the longest strike the union has ever embarked on. The latest version of the strike which was declared on the 14th of February 2022 has now entered its 3rd month.
WITH SCHOLARSHIPS, YOU CAN TRAVEL ABROAD FOR FREE | APPLY NOW
Study-In-USA: 2022 University of Maine Postgraduate Scholarships for International Student
Study-In-Malaysia: 2022 Government of Malaysia International Scholarships for Postgraduate Students
Reacting to the ongoing ASUU strike, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige disclosed that talks between the government and the union will resume next week.
He however did not mention the exact date or day the meeting will hold. In his statement, he noted the multiple industrial disputes in the education sector could have been averted if the unions in the sector took advantage of his open door policy.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
According to him, his open door policy has been explored by the health unions, which culminated in the peace currently enjoyed in the health sector.
“If you are from any union, you don’t need to book appointment to see me. The doctors started using that advantage, JOHESU also did the same. That is why the Health Sector is quiet. But the education unions don’t take advantage of my open door policy,” he said.
Speaking further while receiving the striking National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) in his office in Abuja, the Minister said ASUU does not need to book appointment before they see him.
“If you are from any union, you don’t need to book appointment to see me. The doctors started using that advantage, JOHESU also did the same. That is why the Health Sector is quiet. But the education unions don’t take advantage of my open door policy.
“We don’t have to cry over spilt milk. Let us look at your issues to see the ones we can handle immediately, the ones we can do in the medium term and the ones we can do in the long term. There are certain ones that are over and above me that are not in my hands to do.
LIVE & STUDY ABROAD WITH SCHOLARSHIPS | APPLY NOW
Study-In-Italy: 2022 Italian Government Scholarships for International Students
Study-In-Malaysia: 2022 Government of Malaysia International Scholarships for Postgraduate Students
“My job is to prepare an agreement after conciliation on what you have agreed with your employers, the Federal Ministry of Education, put timelines and monitor them, to see whether the results will be there,” the Minister said.
The Minister while explaining what he has been doing about the strike said that he had discussed with NASU and SSANU who recently embarked on strike too, and they were happy with their discussion. He expressed enthusiasm that ASUU will also be happy with a discussion he plans to have with them next week.
“As a conciliator, I manage you people in measured steps. That is why I want to take all of you holistically and I ask for your cooperation. When I finish with you today, I will continue with ASUU next week. I have done NASU and SSANU yesterday and they were happy. I want you people to be happy as we leave here.,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB), a parastatal of the Federal government under the Ministry of Education has on May 6, 2022 commenced the 2022 University entry examinations.
Every year, JAMB coordinates admissions in all Nigerian Universities, both public and private, and is required to certify the quality secondary students for admission into universities through an examination.
While JAMB’s timeline works perfectly for many private universities, it has destabilized the systems of public universities as they struggle to catch up with the volume of student qualified to enroll. Their struggle is mostly as a result of time being lost during ASUU strike.
Leading universities like the University of Ibadan (UI), which was recently named the best university in Nigeria, cancelled admission for undergraduates for a whole session.
Several other universities, who admitted candidates that passed the 2021 JAMB are yet to start any academic with them one year after.
With the incoming 2022 JAMB candidates, the Nigerian educational sector will have to find solutions to the backlog students qualified for entry into the university.
Share a story or tip with us on WhatsApp: 07041591544 | intelregion.com@gmail.com
📡Our Social Media Channels:
- WhatsApp: iR News Room
- Facebook: Intel Region News
- Twitter: @intelregion
- Instagram: @intelregion
- Telegram: iR News Room