EDUCATION-NIGERIA: University Lecturers On Strike, Again

By Toye Olori Reprint | | Print |

Toye Olori

LAGOS, Sep 15 1999 (IPS) - For the second time this year, Nigerian university lecturers have staged a nationwide strike to press the government for an increase in pay.

The umbrella union, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), called the strike on Monday (Sep. 13). The Union says it will last indefinitely.

The Academic Union of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education also says it will meet with the relevant government officials Wednesday to press home the demand for outstanding salary arrears and allowances to be paid to its members.

Academic activities in almost all Nigeria’s universities have been disrupted. Reports from the different states say teaching and even the second semester examinations in some 38 universities, have been brought to a standstill.

According to ASUU, the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo has been dragging its feet on implementing a marginal increase in lecturers’ allowances reached with General Abdusalami Abubakar’s regime on May 23, shortly before the military handed over power.

“The federal and state governments have failed to approve and release funds for the payment of allowances and benefits contained in the agreement…,” said Asisi Asobie, ASUU’s national president.

Some students have expressed fears that the strike may affect the academic year, which was also disrupted early this year due to another strike by their teachers, and a few parents have spoken out against the lecturers’ actions.

“It is as if the lecturers have no conscience especially in the University of Ibadan where my daughter is a student,” says Jide Akerele. “…They know some of the students just resumed after a long break, because of an earlier strike in that university, yet they have embarked on another strike.”

“For students coming home and going back to school anytime there is a strike or call-off of strike, costs money…,” Akerele told IPS.

However, reports from most of the universities say the lecturers are sticking to their guns until government honours the agreement.

In a statement on Monday, signed by Ibrahim Diso, chair of the Bayero University in the northern city of Kano, the ASUU said its action is indefinite until the government responds to the demands of the lecturers.

“All members are expected to observe the strike in detail until we hear from the national secretariat or national executive council,” Diso said.

Last week, President Obasanjo set up a federal government panel on the ASUU, which has scheduled a meeting with the union leaders for Monday, Sep. 20.

Phillip Asiodu, chairman of the panel and chief economic adviser to the president, appealed to the teachers to return to the classroom before next week’s meeting.

“The immediate inauguration of the panel shows government’s demonstration and readiness to parley with the union,” Asiodu said.