The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja (UniAbuja) branch, has gone on an internal strike, which has been denounced by the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
In a statement released on Monday, Lucky Emonefe, the National President, questioned why ASUU consistently went on strike at the first sign of trouble, even though there were other viable options for resolving conflicts.
He said: “The fact that the national leadership of the union sanctioned the strike is shocking, disappointing and very concerning, particularly given the flimsy and patently frivolous reasons adduced for the strike action.
“It is extremely saddening and annoying that ASUU always ignores the interests and plight of Nigerian students and parents before opting for their often needless trade actions (just consider that between 2020 and 2023 the Nigerian university system has lost over 16 months to ASUU strikes). This is the height of insensitivity and irresponsibility.”
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While expressing happiness that a large section of the UniAbuja lecturers had rejected and dissociated themselves from
the strike action, he said, “We equally salute the university’ s members of the National Association of Medical and Dental
Academics (NAMDA) and the Congress of Nigerian Universities Academics (CONUA) for rejecting the strike.”
“Our position is that gone are the days when staff of tertiary institutions (both teaching and non-teaching) would so cavalierly down tools and refuse to work, rather than dialogue and amicably resolve grievances,” he added.
According to him, the lack of sensitivity and regards for students, parents, and the education system is unacceptable and unbecoming of the union of intellectuals who should have known better.
“Strike actions in our institutions only disrupt, derail and destroy, but never address any problems,” he said.
Emonefe implored the striking lecturers to reconsider their stance and return to work without delay.
