The incessant strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities are a response to the Nigerian Government’s refusal to honour several agreements signed by both parties. It is a strategic move by the union to compel the government into a response. However, this has yielded no result and on the contrary, continues to frustrate the ambitions and aspirations of Nigerian students. Undoubtedly, in Nigeria, today, ASUU and its current strike lead other major discussions – of course aside from the 2023 electioneering preparation. What is this association about? How was it created? Why was it created?
In 1965, the Union was formed as Nigerian Association of University Teachers (NAUT) was formed. The purpose of the association was mainly to improve the welfare of its members. The socio-economic and political well-being of the country, covering academic staff in the University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Ife and the University of Lagos.
By 1978, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) emerged from the Nigerian Association of University Teachers (NAUT). ASUU was formed to be more radical, concerned with broad national issues, and to stand firmly against oppressive, undemocratic policies of the country and not like the former – NAUT which is more like a regional-based association with an ideology like that of a middle-class fraternity and viewpoints not too divergent from those of the post-colonial state. The union is affiliated with Nigeria Labour Congress. The core of the union is to resist any form of assault on academic freedom.
The union became active in the 1980s during the military regime and as well encountered several challenges and setbacks. ASUU had always been at loggerheads with the Nigerian government over the latter’s failure to fulfil its demands. The lecturers complained that most of their demands – already agreed to in previous meetings between both parties – were not met. The agreement includes a breakdown of lecturers’ salary structure, loans, pension, overtime, and moderation of examinations. Over the centuries, the union had embarked on so many strikes which have obstructed the smooth flow of academic activities of institutions across the country.
In the Nigerian context, a strike is nothing new because it has become the bread of our daily life, not just in the education sector only, but in other sectors as well. Strike action is considered the last resort when all other efforts prove abortive. It is common knowledge that that is the only language the Nigerian government understands. However, the students were the ones mostly affected directly.
Previous strikes by ASUU
1988 – The very first ASUU strike started in 1988 for equitable salary and the autonomy of the Nigerian university. This led to the ban on ASUU-related activities in 1988. The strike was called off in 1990, and students were allowed to return to campus.
1992 – The second ASUU strike begun in August 1992, and it led to a second ban on ASUU, but the strike ended in September 1992. ASUU continued to strike numerous times between 1995 to 1997.
1999 – This year, Nigeria embraced democracy after decades of military rule. Shortly after the inauguration of the Obasanjo government there was a strike action. This strike went on for five months.
2002 – Late this year, ASUU had another strike. The reason was that the Obasanjo-led federal government did not implement the agreement they made with the union. The strike actually lasted for two weeks.
2003 – There was another strike that lasted for more than five months. This ASUU strike was because the government couldn’t implement some of the agreements it made with them. The fact that the university is not adequately funded and on low wages and pension pushed ASUU to strike.
2005 – The strike this year lasted fourteen days. This caused students to remain at home throughout.
2006 – ASUU had another strike that lasted seven days, after a warning strike of three days.
2007 – The strike by the union this year lasted for more than two months due to the failure to implement earlier agreements.
2008 – This year’s strike lasted for a week. The lecturers’ demands were centered around fair wages and lecturers’ reinstatement.
2009 – Another strike happened. It led to universities’ closure for more than three months. The strike began in early June and was called off in late October. This gave birth to a new agreement labeled ASUU/FG agreement of 2009.
2010 – This time the strike lasted for more than four months. The strike was from July to January 2011.
2011 – Again, universities were closed in 2011. It lasted for more than a month. It started from December 2011 to February 2012.
2013 – There was another ASUU strike in 2013, which bordered on issues around the age for retirement of lecturers, university funding, and other salient demands. The strike which started in July lasted for five months.
2018 – ASUU had an indefinite strike in 2018 over government’s inability to meet its demand. The strike was called off in February 2019.
2020 – Around March 2020, ASUU declared another indefinite strike over contentious issues like the refusal to join the IPPIS platform, poor university funding, and other matters.
2022 – Also in 2022, ASUU declared a two-month strike starting from February 13. On May 9, they extended the strike till August 1 – currently ongoing.