With no end in sight to the industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), students are learning vocations and pursuing other interests, pending its resolution as the strike hits 213 days today. DAMOLA KOLA-DARE reports
It is no longer news that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) declared a total and indefinite strike after its initial warning strike, which started on February 14, this year, following alleged failure of the Federal Government to accede to the demands of the union. The union noted that the industrial action was aimed at repositioning public universities and changing the dwindling fortunes of the education sector.
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said the Federal Government had been insensitive to the plight of lecturers following perpetual and fruitless negotiations. After a series of meetings with no head way, the face-off between both parties took another twist as the Federal Government took ASUU to court. It prayed for a suspension of the strike. Hearing is billed for tomorrow.
The lingering strike led to a solidarity protest nationwide by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), academic unions such as Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and other trade unions on July 26. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) also called on both parties to reach a compromise, yet nothing was done.
Issues at stake
Issues that led to the industrial action are: non-release of revitalisation fund, non-payment of earned allowance (or earned academic allowance), renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement and the release of white paper for visitation panel.
Others are: the non-payment of minimum wage arrears and the alleged inconsistency in the use of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), and deployment of University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).
The Senior Staff Union of Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU), which joined the strike after complaints that government refused to meet their own demands, suspended it for two months to observe the implementation of the agreements reached with the government. After securing commitments from government, on August 25, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) suspended its strike for three months.
Have the students accepted their fate?
Nevertheless, students at the receiving end have accepted their fate and are learning vocational skills, engaging in paid internships, freelance journalism, teaching, creative writing, among others. A cross-section of students told The Nation that the forced ‘vacations’ had proved to be an eye-opener for personal and professional development and money- making.
Ifunanya Osakwe, a Mass Communication student at University of Benin (UNIBEN), said the strike has helped her to achieve some set goals and learn outside school curriculum.
She said: “ASUU strike has affected our academics, but I would not say that its effect on me was only negative. For example, it helped me pursue several goals and I am happy to say that I have achieved some of them.
“Before the strike commenced, I was not so much interested in acquiring skills or learning outside the school curriculum. But now, I can boast of acquiring a caregiver certificate from World Health Organisation (WHO).
“Apart from that I have gone into entrepreneurship and I am also building myself financially. So, in as much as the prolonged strike has affected our educational sector at the tertiary level, most students have also benefited from it.
“The strike became an eye-opener to most students who do not have skills. It made them realise that when they graduate, they will not be able to self- employ themselves. Hence, they needed to improve their skills.
“Although, I have benefited from the ASUU strike, I will like to appeal to both ASUU and Federal Government to consider students in their actions. If we are talking of negotiation then compromise must be made by both parties.”
Bello Hussein Adoto, a 300-Level Medical student at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), said: “I was on the verge of finishing my posting exams when ASUU went on strike on February 14. My exams were scheduled to start in March. So, I spent the first few weeks of the strike reading for the exams and hoping the strike would be called off soon. It wasn’t. So, I moved on to other things.
“I had started an internship at the local general hospital during the previous ASUU strike and COVID-19 lockdown. So, I resumed there; going every day of the week.
“I also resumed freelance writing and journalism. I got active on social media groups and freelance platforms so I could secure paid writing gigs, and I did. The gigs kept me away from the hospital for weeks, but I still made time to go.
“Around June, I started two courses on Coursera and AuthorAID, on scientific research writing and communication. Beyond the courses, I also secured opportunities with two national media organisations in Nigeria to contribute articles and news reports. One of my reports is currently in contention for a continental award.
“I am taking a seven months course now on a business I will start soon, whether ASUU calls off the strike or not. The business fits with my course of study and I can manage it even with my academic schedule.
“Overall, the strike was frustrating in its earliest days. I couldn’t put up a long-term strategy because of uncertainty about our resumption. However, the tension got weaker after three months and I moved on to writing full time and scouting for business opportunities. My internship at the hospital helped me greatly in coping with the strike and transitioning into doing other things that pay.”
Abdulwaheed Sofiullah, a student at Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto (UDUS), said he had attended physical and online trainings on journalism and accessed various journalism opportunities. He is also using this period to work as a freelance journalist.
“The strike allows me to pursue my career as a young freelance journalist. Since the strike began, I had accessed a couple of journalism opportunities. As a final-year student, I wish I had graduated some months ago; but the skill that I was able to develop while on campus keeps me busy during this strike. I was able to attend physical and online training, and also engage myself in different research about the profession. I pray ASUU and Federal Government reach an agreement, so that I could finish my last semester,” he said.
Clarion Olusegun a, student at Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, is working towards eradicating violence against women and girls through online campaigns and an upcoming public speaking event.
“I am working towards eradicating violence against women and girls through online campaigns and upcoming public speaking event. I have also been working as a student journalist at Eko FM and Agronigeria,” she said.
Olaitan Babatunde, a student at Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State, said: “I am working with a team administering COVID-19 vaccine scale 3.0 as a validator. I am also an administrative manager working at startup company. I have learnt how to create prospect lists using LinkedIn, draft proposals, keep and file records every week and book appointments.”
Initially, Ochayi Emmanuel, a 300-Level student of English and Literature at University of Lagos (UNILAG), felt bad when the strike started on February 14, but rather than brood for long, he resumed his volunteering-internship in the print media, took some online courses on Udemy and learnt how to stream videos on social media channels.
“I think my volunteering-internship has added to my year of experience. I intend to venture into journalism when I am done with my undergraduate programme. I also hope the government and the members of ASUU would come to an agreement and allow school to resume soonest,” he said.
Azeezah Momoh, a 400-Level Pharmacy student at Bayero University Kano (BUK), said: “Mentally, I am not doing so good. It has been strike upon strike and right now, it feels like one’s life is stagnant. It is as if I am useless or wasting my time or something. It is just frustrating and mentally draining. I cannot really say I am learning new stuff. As a Pharmacy student, I have been working in a community pharmacy and getting acquainted with community pharmacy as a branch in the whole pharmacy practice. I also started an online business. I run an online fabric store, which I also do offline.”
Temitope Adejuwon, a student of English and Literature at Ekiti State University (EKSU), noted that he took to part-time teaching at a secondary school in Lagos.
He said: “When I noticed both parties, Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), were foot-dragging, I then applied to teach English and Literature at a secondary school in Ikotun , Lagos. With that, l won’t be a burden to my parents and it will help to keep me going mentally.”
Fortune Amaechi, a student at Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, Abia State, is concerned with making money to pay her bills when school resumes.
Her words: “I haven’t been pursuing any other thing except money. I have devoted my time to working so I can raise money for the completion of my education because I know that once school resumes, there would be rush, especially in terms of certain payments.”
Vivian Iheme, a University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) student:, said: ” I ‘ve invested my time into online businesses and classes that will enhance my knowledge and fetch me good amount of money.
“Nowadays, anything you do online fetches you a good sum of money and the intriguing thing is that it is in dollars. So, that’s what I’ve been up to.”
Joshua Chijioke, another ABSU student said: “Since ASUU refuses to call off the strike, I refuse to sit idle and wait for them. Within this period, I have learnt fashion designing and I’m deepening my knowledge on it.
“With this, I have been able to sort out some bills and pay my fees to an extent so that when school resumes, the expenses won’t be overwhelming.”
Saka Okikiola, a 300-Level Medicine student at UNILORIN, spent the last seven months on personal and professional development.
His words: “I spent all of the last seven months on personal and professional development. I took online courses on Research Writing, Social Media Marketing and Product Management. In August 2022, I attended a two-week boot camp specially curated for high-impact entrepreneurial leaders, where I learnt a lot about leadership, entrepreneurship and empathy.”
Phillip Anjorin, a student at Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, said: “This break has given me a better time and space to pursue my dream as a journalist. I attended some training that made me develop my knowledge. Within this period, I also wrote some reports that I would not have written if the ASUU strike had not taken place.
“I have my fair share of journalistic heartbreaks as a freelancer, because I have more rejected mails than accepted ones. However, I keep learning without waiting for resumption news. At this stage, I am indifferent to the news whenever it comes, despite knowing that the strike is hindering my progress as a student with one eye on the labour market, where I have no backup. Perhaps, it is painful because I attend a state university that only chose to join the industrial action for solidarity reasons.
“Knowing that the world is daily evolving, I am developing interests in attending trainings relating to my field as a journalist. Sessions on Fact-checking, solution journalism, op-eds, media entrepreneurship, among others are important to me because I believe those are where the future of media practices lie. Whenever the union finally chooses to call off the strike, I do not believe I will be the same student like before. This is a sad reality, but myself along with countless other students may not give value to academics anymore.”
Halimah Abubakar, a student at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, enrolled in a Graphics Design class and started teaching to be financially independent.
“Since there is no hope of resuming anytime soon, I was able to enroll myself in a Graphic Design class and learnt a lot. I also teach in a school to avoid idleness and being broke,” she said.
Rahman Jimoh, a student at Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, said: “I write poetry and fiction and submit to literary journals. I attended about four different journalism trainings since the strike commenced, including the African Young Media Programme, the African Check Training, the Joe Penney Text and Visual workshop and CJID Conflict reporting training. I started freelancing for media organisations and brands.”
Mohammed Taoheed, a Law student at UDUS, took to community development, poetry, tourism and volunteering. He is also into writing.
Kasali AbdulGafar Adesola, a 300-Level student at UNILORIN, said: “I have taken several online courses and earned certificates, for instance, health content writing, masterclass on Curriculum Vitae and LinkedIn optimisation.
“I have invested a lot in personal development by purchasing course and reading books. I have read over 20 books since the strike commenced from which I have learnt communication, public speaking, time management, creative writing, emotional intelligence and others. I have written a book, ‘Winning scholarship as an undergraduate’.”
Psychological implications on students
Meanwhile, Dr. Oluwafisayo Adebimpe, a psychologist at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH),Oyo State, noted that the prolonged strike could have adverse effects on students.
In an interview with The Nation, Adebimpe pinpointed loss of interest in academic activities, decline in learning culture, low motivation, poor performance, among others as negative effects of the strike.
She said: “Most students now see educational qualifications as an option. Unlike before, their confidence in the educational system is on the decline. They believe there are easier ways in attaining success and fame in life. Some are going into vices in the society such as cybercrime, commercial sex work, betting and robbery, while others are redirecting their energy towards entertainment, music, social media and reality show.
“An idle mind is a devil’s workshop; some students might see it as a fast avenue for making money illegitimately. Some have lost their lives through accidents and the level of insecurity in the country.” The psychologist said most parents and guardian were struggling financially, hence, their wards are eager to graduate and assist them. She added that the prolonged strike had made them anxious, frustrated and unhappy, with their expectations regarding resumption not being met.
“Looking at the economic situation in the country today, most parents/ guardians are struggling. These students are eager to graduate and assist their families financially. There are some students whose financial capacity is low/poor.”
Some engage in different activities on the campus to make ends meet. The house rent of students staying on and off campus during this period is wasted.
“Most of the students are anxious and unhappy with high level of expectations. They keep asking unanswered questions on resumption date, knowing that there are tasks ahead. We must understand that there are different categories of students; we have undergraduates and postgraduate students. Some are about graduating, some just gained admission. Every student has his/ her own peculiarities with the hope of actualising dreams,” she said.
