Since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria through the 1999 Constitution, the country’s education system has been in shamble. Yet, no government has failed in this capacity as much as the current APC administration. A failed state is a government incapable of providing basic needs of a sovereign nation such as justice, education etc.
It is now sixteen (16) times the Academic Staff Universities Union (ASUU) have embarked on indefinite strike since 1999.
OBASANJO-ATIKU LED-ADMINISTRATION
(1) In 1999, few months after Obasanjo-Atiku administration was sworn-in, ASUU embarked on a nationwide strike that lasted for five (5) months.
(2) In 2001, ASUU declared another strike over the reinstatement of 49 lecturers sacked at the University of Ilorin. Olusegun Obasanjo described Nigerian University lecturers as “a bunch of lazy and ungrateful people”. The strike lasted for three (3), months.
(3) In 2002, the Union still embarked on strike after the Federal Government failed to fulfill its promises during the 1999 strike. The strike started on Sunday, December 29, 2022, and lasted for only two (2) weeks.
(4) In 2003, non-implementation of the previous agreements, which covers poor university funding and disparity in salary, the union still embarked on strike which lasted for six (6) months.
(5) In 2005, ASUU also embarked on strike for another two (2) weeks.
(6) In April 2006, ASUU declared a 3-day warning strike but eventually lasted for one week which paralyzed all academic activities in the public universities.
(7) In March 26, 2007, the union still embarked on strike which lasted for three (3) months for the same reason.
YAR’ADUA-JONATHAN LED-ADMINISTRATION
(8) In 2008, the union went on strike for one (1) week in demand of an improved in salary structure and reinstatement of the 49 lecturers dismissed in 2001 from the University of Ilorin. A court ruled that the University of Ilorin should reinstate the lecturers but the university ignored the ruling.
(9) In June 2009, the union still embarked on indefinite strike which lasted for four (4) months. Before the strike was called off, the Federal Government and the Union reached an agreement.
JONATHAN-SAMBO LED ADMINISTRATION
(10) In July 22, 2010, the union also embarked on another indefinite strike which lasted for over five (5) months. (22 July, 2010 – January 2011)
(11) In 2011, the union also embarked on another strike which lasted for fifty-nine (59) days on the failure of the FG for the non-implementation of the 70 years retirement age limit
(12) In July, 2013, the Federal Government’s failure to review the retirement age of Professors from 65 to 70; approved funding to revatilise the University system; increase the budgetary allocations to the education sector by 26%, among other demands led to strike which lasted for five months, (5 days). (July 1, 2013 – December 17, 2013).
BUHARI-OSINBAJO LED ADMINISTRATION
(13) In August 2017, the union declared an indefinite strike over unresolved issues with the Federal Government. The strike was called off in September.
(14) In November 4, 2018, the union also declared an indefinite strike which lasted for three (3) months.
(15) In 2020, the union also embarked on strike which lasted for nine (9) months.
(16) In February 14, 2022, failure on the part of the Federal Government to implement the agreement with ASUU, the union also embarked on strike since February 14, 2022. Today, the strike now 205 days.
Summary of the Strike
Obasanjo-Atiku Led Administration – 18months 1 week
Yar’adua-Jonathan Led Administration – 4months 1 week
Jonathan-Sambo led Administration – 12months 5 days
Buhari-Osinbajo led administration – 20months 3weeks and counting
It is clearly evident from the above that the Buhari-Osinbajo led administration has not managed the crisis with the ASUU very well.
It is high time the stakeholders come together to find a lasting solution to the ASUU problem.
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