Rethinking ASUU’s Strategy

ASUU’s strategy has always been this: it directs all its members in Federal and State universities to embark on total and indefinite strike at federal government breach of the union’s agreements. These strikes mean: no teaching, no examinations, no grading of scripts, no project supervisions, no inaugural lectures, no appointment and no promotion meeting, no statutory meeting (Council, Senate, Board, etc) or other meetings directed by government or their agents.

The problem is said to be about poor funding, deplorable learning/academic environment, declining funding of varsities compared to other developing countries such as Ghana and South Africa and the need to par UNESCO global average of 26 per cent. Funding for education today is put at less than 10 per cent. A disappointing percentage.

We grew up and watch helplessly as these unions take on the almighty federal government. The question now is that has it worked? The answer is obvious as another strike goes on. Time again and again we come to this dangerous path without reaching any inspiring solution but we end up going back to the trench. The impact of these strikes over the past decade is mind-blowing. They have led to the creation of a generation of half-baked graduates and have sent our global competitive ratings to the gutter. It all renders our ambitious goal to become one of the top economies a ruse.

It is why we go with Douglas Anele masterpiece in Sunday Vanguard November, 20^th, 2011 with the title, ‘Imperatives for paradigm-shift in the Academic Staff Union of Universities. Mr. Anele in his ever ingenious contributions asked for an eagle-eyed approach in monitoring varsities income and expenditure, and detailed accounting for government subventions and grants and internally-generated revenue (IGR).

He wrote that this can be done not in the spirit of confrontation but in the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect to identify financial leakages and plug them. Cooperation between vice-chancellors and academics in top administrative positions and ASUU become oiled to mutual success.

Above all, we want to see a new era of a different approach to engagement. The past should evolve into one where ASUU pushes for quality conversations about government policies and policy documents. Setting up its own body solely responsible for this is critical at this point in our checkered history. This might be tough but we can start. We want to see more robust seminars and platforms to share knowledge and experiences in order to improve the quality of our lecturers’ delivery. Mentorship programs and use of other I.T and social media platforms is important in saving our dying institutions.