• A look at the views of those for and against the strike
By Chika Abanobi
Last week, the Academic Staff Union of the Nigerian Universities (ASUU),under the leadership of Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, National President, embarked on what it tagged “comprehensive and indefinite strike,” over some unresolved issues in its 2009 and 2013 agreements with government.
While some were in support of the strike, others, especially parents and students, were vehemently against it. For instance, Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, had tweeted: “If you don’t see anything wrong when leaders flash the images of their children’s matriculation or graduation ceremonies in some of the world’s most prestigious or elitist universities, you shouldn’t see anything wrong with ASUU strike and demand for a better deal for Nigerian universities.”
In a rare display of candour, Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education, agreed that the union was right in going on strike but faulted the officials on 
the area of giving adequate notice to government.
We present below the views of other prominent and not so prominent Nigerians on the strike.
“Universities should remain shut until otherwise directed”
Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU National President.
“The strike has shown that Nigerians made a grave mistake in voting the All Progressives Congress (APC), in 2015.”
Mr. Samuel Nwanosike, politician and Rivers State’s spokesman for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
“If the higher cadre of the civil service in Osun can agree to collect a fraction of their salaries because of the harsh economic condition, I see no reason the LAUTECH (Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso), lecturers cannot reason with government.”
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Osun State governor, on the disruption of academic activities at LAUTECH, in the past 14 months, owing to to the decision of the ASUU branch of the university to embark on strike over lack of funding and part-payment of its teachers. He spoke at a reception held in honour of the state-sponsored medical students who’d just completed their training in Ukraine.
“May we ask Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola: if the Ukrainian government had shown the kind of lackadaisical attitude he had demonstrated to the funding of LAUTECH, would he have found a university to send those students in Ukraine?…To ask LAUTECH workers to go back to work without addressing the issue of 11 months salary arrears and the vexed question of sustainable funding unattended to, is the peak of insensitivity and hypocritical joke taken too far.”
Excerpts from a press statement issued by Dr. Biodun Olaniran, chairman of ASUU, LAUTECH and Dr. Toyin Abegurin, secretary, in reaction to the governor’s remarks.
“The lecturers should look at the plight of the students and reconsider their decision in line with the current economic realities.”
Darius Ishaku, Governor, Taraba State.
“Lecturers are not considerate of other stakeholders in the university education sector. Are they the only ones being affected? Why hold other stakeholders by the jugular? Their demands may be legitimate but they should also know that implementing the 2009 agreement will take time because there are other needs begging for attention.”
Michael Onwuka, student, Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka
“No other sector of the Nigerian economy would have tolerated a situation where their salaries are fragmented from January 2016. We bore it with patience, pleading with government but government has refused. You cannot plan; you cannot do anything while every other person is enjoying. It is intolerable that you work for a full month and you get half salary. So, the strike is long overdue.”
Dr Uwem Akpan, senior lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Department of Communication Arts, University of Uyo (UNIUYO)
“We’re ready to prosecute this strike as long as the ruling class refuses to listen to the voice of reason and do the needful”
Dr. Chinedu Aguba, ASUU branch man, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).
“A responsive and responsible government will do all that is needful to make life better for the workers, most especially in the education sector where academic excellence is important.”
Education Rights Campaign (ERC)
“It is unfair for university teachers to call for such action now, knowing the current predicament of the nation. They don’t consider the plight of poor parents who bear the brunt of their action.”
Chief Sunday Oyedele, parent, Illorin, Kwara State.
“As far as I am concerned, ASUU has lost its credibility and I wonder what type of knowledge they want to pass on to the students. It is time we come up with legislation making membership of ASUU optional.”
Barrister Bisi Atolagbe
“I am afraid, the strike will worsen the already deteriorating education system in the country.”
Mrs. E. Oroma, doctoral degree student, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
“Any time ASUU goes on strike it is the parents and their children that suffer. I therefore call on the government to settle matters with them to avoid chaos in the education sector.”
Alhaji Yahyah Umar Balarabe, Birnin Kebbi.
“Parents should know that we are fighting for them as well as in the interest of the students”
Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Abada, chairman, ASUU-UNN, briefing newsmen last Wednesday, on why their branch joined the strike.
“It’s ok by me if it is going to correct whatever you are striking for but if it is just to strike for striking sake, with no result, that’s where I am going to have some issues with you guys”
Miss Idoroenyin Oboh, 300 level student of French, University of Uyo
“NANS leadership is giving the federal government 21 days to resolve the issue or risk the wrath and possibly uprising from the over 40 million Nigerian students.”
Comrade Chinonso Obasi, President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)
“I am not blaming any party. The parties involved should come to the roundtable to discuss the way forward. The Federal government should invite the leadership of ASUU and table the facts and figures before them. The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, is an academic. I am sure the two parties will reach a decisive compromise. ”
Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, Olubadan of Ibadanland.
With reports from Gabriel Dike, Lagos, Fred Ezeh, Abuja, Chidi Nnadi, Enugu, Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan, Felix Ikem, Nsukka, Obinna Odogwu, Abakaliki, Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo, Layi Olanrewaju, Illorin, Gyang Bere, Jos, Joe Effiong, Uyo, Linus Oota, Lafia, Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja, Paul Osuyi, Asaba, Noah Ebije and Sola Ojo, Kaduna, Tony John, Port Harcourt and Ali Abare, Gombe
