Another strike looms yet again after two weeks of resumption: The plight of many students

Elabor Awelu

Weeks ago, the news headline across various media outlets in Nigeria was “Finally, ASUU has called off its eight month strike after an agreement with the Federal government” but today, the narratives have changed to “ASUU members are paid half salaries”.

While many students have returned to campuses and some others are still waiting to resume, those living outside campus and those staying in private hostels within the campus are unhappy about the wasted eight months of their rent. Similarly, the cost of goods and services is also on the high side. In this apparent ‘new Nigeria’, even affording kerosene is not a child’s play. In fact, the price of kerosene is as expensive as the most expensive uncut diamond in the world, at least to the students.

Now, students in school have to strive to cope with lecturers who were not paid 8 months salaries and who, quite surprisingly, were paid half of a month’s salary. This is the extent the Federal Government of Nigeria has jeopardized the education sector in the country. Strikes in the country have become a yearly occurrence that has by far eaten deep into the education system in the country which is almost beyond repair.

To think of it, the lecturers went on strike for a just cause which is to seek for a lasting solution to the depreciating Nigerian educational system, and to put an end to the incessant strikes in the country, but rather than solving the problems, the federal government of Nigeria was assiduously making the problems bigger by threatening the lecturers with various means. Following the court order, the lecturers, even though not satisfied, forcefully resumed on empty stomachs and empty wallets to begin academic activities with the students. As though that was not enough, they ended up getting paid the number of days spent after resumption. This brings forth indications that another strike is looming in the air. This is another sign to show that the federal government is not being considerate to the students. It is supposed to be of concern to the government that the Youths or to some extent, Nigerian students education is in a state of uncertainty but the government enjoy making students sit at home, carrying placards on the streets, blocking off major roads, airports begging for them to go back to school which make students vulnerable of being harmed or killed by this same government.

In the course of the strikes in Nigeria, there have been newly cultivated different approach to life by students and lecturers (which it would not be wrong to say that the federal government is cultivating and encouraging); many students have totally lost interest in Education that some can never return to school again and at the same time, many students have died in shadow incidents during the strike. In the just concluded strike that lasted 8 months, many lecturers have lost their lives, while many lost interest in the profession. Obviously, it is wise to say that the Nigerian government doesn’t care about the educational system in the country, and also some other students too. But who would fault them?

The Nigerian Government has failed her students and this boils down to the fact that many of these politicians have their children out of the country getting the necessary education and so they have no problem with the crumbling of the country’s education system. During the period of the eight month strike, the daughter of the President graduated from a University in the United Kingdom. Instead of solving the demand of the Academic Union, the government now sees the struggle of the Union as against the Government. So, this means that we are certainly heading towards a direction, a certain path: that of yet another long strike.