By Abhulimen Jonathan
There is a popular quote that is attributed and also misattributed to Albert Einstein and Benjamin Franklin, and it reads “The Definition of Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result”. This quote is actually a reflection of a trade union that deals with academics. It is a reflection of what some Nigerians see in the actions of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), who have unceasingly utilised one method, which is consistent strike actions to pursue their demands.
Going through some history books, ASUU came into existence in the year 1978, to fight against the bad policies in the educational sector and to promote their demands vis-a-vis the reforms in the tertiary educational system, and their struggles eventually proved to be effective with the use of industrial actions as a mechanism. In fact, a lot of things that were put in place in the public universities today such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the NEEDS Assessment Programme can be attributed to the struggles of the Union.
Ever since the Union and the Federal Government came into an agreement in 2009, their series of industrial actions have proven to be futile as such agreements have never been fulfilled but continually delayed with new agreements from 2019 to 2021 also set in that have not been processed.
Just recently, I saw an update on Facebook by a prominent Nigerian journalist, Audu Bulama Bukarti, and he criticised ASUU's failure in developing a more effective strategy to press for their demands from the Nigerian Government, as they rather choose to embark on fruitless strikes that affect the students.
The subsequent industrial actions by the Union have not only prevented students from completing their Bachelor's degree programme at the expected time, but it has also adversely affected their academic performance.
The Academic Union, in the name of fighting for the safety of the public universities in the country, seem to lack innovation in bringing about an alternative or a new method of struggle, as its consistent strike actions have lost their effectiveness and relevance and no longer yields the desired results they have been expecting. Strikes are no longer an effective option for achieving an improved and qualitative public university system.
Recently, I was at an Inter-Faculty Debate Competition set up by the Ahmadu Bello University's Student Representative Council, and one of the arguments at the event was centered on ASUU strike being an option or not to meet its demands, and there was a point made by one of the debaters opposing ASUU strike being an option to meet its demands that got me amazed. He said since ASUU's strike actions have no longer yielded positive results over the last 13 years, they should also engage in effective and profitable dialogue with the government, and should also engage in consistent communication with the government. The debater made a point on an option that had never been tried out by the academic union.
I was having a conversation with my friend and a 300 level student of the Department of Mass Communication, Abdullahi Aliyu Ibrahim, and he suggested other methods that the Academic Staff Union of Universities could possibly exercise to achieve all that they've been agitating for.
He first suggested that the Academic Union could bring out a Presidential Candidate ahead of the 2023 General Elections, who will not only focus on developing the educational system in the country but will surely make it a top priority and salvage it from its topsy-turvy state. ASUU as a trade union is a body of intellectuals and with the backing of millions of students, they can mobilise every government-owned academic institution, with the interest of parents who have their children in these institutions to push for someone who understands the system and also what education means in a society.
He also suggested that the Academic Union could also engage in demonstrations. He believes that a combined effort among the stakeholders, that is, the students, lecturers, and parents to hold demonstrations, not only physically, but also through social media and the use of printed materials could force the government to show full commitment towards the educational sector in the country. Social networking platforms such as Twitter can be used by students, parents, lecturers, and those in the diaspora who are in support of the struggle to tag every top government official with a hashtag to call the government to make the educational system better to prevent further strike actions. Asides from this, every street, nook, and crannies in the country could also have placards, flyers, billboards, and banners to create awareness to show that they are serious about their educational demands.
The Lecturers, Students, and Parents could also write to the Nigerian Police Force to seek permission to form a formidable force and engage in a nationwide march past, with support from Nigerians in Diaspora to show to the world that Education in Nigeria is in a state of emergency.
As it is, industrial action cannot be the only solution to ASUU getting its demands. Strike action is not the only language the Nigerian government will understand.
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