By Onatunde Deborah
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) kicked off its ongoing strike on February 14th, 2022, with the hope that the government would swing into action on the diverse issues raised between both parties for years.
Instead, a series of meetings ended up in a lost cause, as the strike brought little progress for celebration. While other sectors flourished with graced attention from politics, entertainment, sport, and finance, the education sector suffers next to no attention.
Nigerian NewsDirect spoke with some students who expressed their grievances concerning the ongoing ASUU strike. They spoke about its effect and how they have been able to engage with other activities triggered by the unappealing reactions from the government.
A psychologist student from Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ogun state, Grace Fagbuyi, recounted her experience, explaining that the strike has affected her life as a youth with the feeling of being idle and broke.
“I am depressed and sad, I miss school, I miss my lecturers and I feel stuck in a place, the feeling of being useless, confused, and broke.”
Grace shared her grievance about the unpleasant state of confusion as she feels stuck. However, she has engaged in photography, online courses, and Youtube videos just to get connected. But again, this is not enough as she appeals to the Government for a quick response and negotiation.
“I had plans, goals, concerning my university but since the 4months strike, it’s now a waste. I encourage myself by not being idle,” she said.
Gabriel a 23-year-student of University of Lagos (UNILAG) hasn’t been coping well with the unexpected extended strike as he reveals it is mentally and emotionally heartbreaking for him.
“ASUU strike has affected me mentally, and emotionally. It is heartbreaking as the academic calendar has been tampered with.”
The 300 level mechanical engineering student explained how he has made good use of the strike by learning trade and engaging in some online web courses to keep himself busy. He further emphasised the lack of freedom as ASUU is a game-changer for students.
Just like Gabriel and Grace, Basira a 200-level student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik) said the strike affected her attitude towards school and productivity as the student in her has died completely.
She expressed how hard it would be to blend during resumption due to laziness and being brain-dead.
“The student in me has died completely, as it would be hard for me to blend back when we resume due to laziness and being brain-dead. This is a dilemma. I needed a break from school and also gave me one. Trying new things like the making of bags, shoes, neathing, and writing.”
She added that she had diverse feelings as she initially needed a break from school and ASUU strike gave her one, noting that she has placed her hands in diverse waters like shoe-making, bag making, and writing.
For a 400-level student of UNILAG who simply identified himself as Dipo, the announcement of the strike was a big blow for him after the first strike during the pandemic which took a whole year.
He said this is mentally difficult for him as he is not getting any younger and still hasn’t acquired any tangible skill as he claims the government placed students in the middle.
“This is mentally draining as we are surviving, I haven’t done or achieved anything tangible not even a skill.”
However, a History and Diplomatic student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) believes that the strike gave her business the needed breakthrough, saying it is a good way to maximise the break.
“ASUU strike is making sense for me, I am busy with my business, maximising the break,” she said.
Subsequent meetings held pry to the strike on Monday, between ASUU and the Government ended unyielding. As ASUU has laid claim on the 2020 memorandum of action signed by the Federal and State Government on crucial demands by the union like promotions, salaries, and overdue pensions.