Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand the meaning of union strikes and their role in higher education institutions in Nigeria.
• Identify the causes of union strikes in Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
• Recognize the impact of union strikes on academic activities and students’ progress.
• Explore strategies to manage and navigate the challenges posed by union strikes.

Overview

Union strikes are a common occurrence in Nigerian higher institutions, often disrupting academic calendars and causing delays in the academic journey of students. These strikes are organized by academic and non-academic unions to protest issues related to wages, working conditions, government policies, or institutional management. The most notable unions involved in strikes include the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), and others.

This lesson will explore what union strikes are, their causes, their impact on students and institutions, and how students can cope with the disruptions caused by such strikes.

What is a Union Strike?

A union strike is a collective work stoppage initiated by a group of employees—often members of a union—to protest grievances they have with their employer or governing authority. In the context of higher education in Nigeria, union strikes are organized by staff unions to demand better working conditions, fair salaries, funding for education, or the implementation of previous agreements with the government.

Strikes are often the last resort after negotiations, meetings, and other attempts at conflict resolution have failed. During a strike, union members (such as lecturers or non-academic staff) stop working, which causes a suspension of academic and administrative activities in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

Key Unions Involved in Strikes

Several unions in Nigerian higher institutions play a major role in organizing strikes. The most prominent ones include:

• Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU): Represents academic staff in Nigerian public universities. ASUU strikes are often related to issues of funding for education, salaries, and working conditions.
• Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP): Represents academic staff in polytechnics. Like ASUU, ASUP strikes often revolve around demands for better working conditions, funding, and fair treatment.
• Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU): Represents non-academic staff (e.g., cleaners, security, administrative officers) in Nigerian higher institutions. NASU strikes often affect the day-to-day running of the institution.
• Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU): Represents senior non-academic staff in universities, including administrative, technical, and professional staff. They may strike for better pay, job security, or fair treatment.
• Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU): Represents academic staff in colleges of education. Their strikes are also typically related to funding, salary arrears, and working conditions.

Causes of Union Strikes

Union strikes in Nigerian higher institutions are typically driven by several issues. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Poor Funding of Education:
   • One of the major reasons for union strikes is the inadequate funding of education by the government. Unions, particularly ASUU, often demand more investment in infrastructure, research, and the overall quality of education.
2. Salary and Welfare Issues:
   • Delays in the payment of salaries and allowances are frequent causes of strikes. Staff unions often demand better pay and the implementation of agreed salary structures, such as the Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) in universities.
3. Non-Implementation of Agreements:
   • Union strikes often occur when the government or institutional authorities fail to implement previous agreements. For instance, ASUU has gone on strike multiple times over the non-implementation of agreements signed with the federal government regarding funding, salaries, and institutional autonomy.
4. Working Conditions:
   • Poor working conditions, such as inadequate teaching facilities, outdated equipment, and insufficient research funding, are key reasons for strikes. Lecturers and staff demand better environments to work effectively.
5. Government Policies:
   • Strikes can also be triggered by government policies that unions perceive as detrimental to the education sector. For instance, unions may strike in protest against commercialization or privatization policies in education.
6. Retrenchment or Job Security Issues:
   • Sometimes, strikes occur when staff fear mass layoffs or retrenchment. Unions may protest against policies that threaten job security or cutbacks in staffing.
7. Autonomy and Academic Freedom:
   • Academic unions, especially ASUU, also demand greater autonomy for universities, allowing them to operate independently from excessive government control, especially concerning internal policies and governance.

Impact of Union Strikes

Union strikes, while often necessary for resolving critical issues, have significant consequences for students, staff, and the education system as a whole:

1. Disruption of Academic Calendar:
   • One of the most direct impacts of strikes is the disruption of the academic calendar. Lectures, exams, and other academic activities are suspended, leading to delays in graduation and the extension of the academic session.
2. Increased Financial Burden on Students:
   • When strikes prolong academic programs, students incur extra costs for accommodation, feeding, and transportation. Additionally, students may have to pay extra fees if the academic calendar is extended beyond its original schedule.
3. Psychological Stress and Uncertainty:
   • The uncertainty surrounding the resumption of academic activities can cause significant stress for students. Prolonged strikes may lead to anxiety, depression, or loss of motivation, as students are left uncertain about when they will resume studies.
4. Loss of Learning and Academic Engagement:
   • Extended strikes cause students to lose valuable learning time. Students may find it challenging to regain focus and re-engage academically after a long break.
5. Career and Employment Delays:
   • Delayed graduation can lead to missed employment opportunities, internships, and postgraduate admissions. Graduates affected by strikes may find themselves in a competitive job market with fewer prospects.
6. Damage to the Reputation of Institutions:
   • Frequent strikes undermine the reputation of Nigerian universities and other higher institutions, both locally and internationally. This can affect the institution’s ability to attract international collaborations and students.
7. Strained Student-Union Relationships:
   • Strikes sometimes create tension between students and staff unions, as students often feel frustrated by the disruptions caused by strikes. However, unions argue that their demands ultimately benefit the education system.

Coping with Union Strikes

While students do not have control over the occurrence of strikes, there are several strategies they can adopt to manage the disruptions and minimize the negative impact on their academic progress:

1. Stay Informed:
   • It is important for students to stay informed about the reasons for the strike, the progress of negotiations, and potential resumption dates. This helps reduce anxiety and uncertainty.
2. Use the Time Productively:
   • During strikes, students should consider using their time productively by engaging in personal development activities such as:
     • Internships or volunteer work to gain practical experience.
     • Online courses to improve their skills or knowledge.
     • Reading ahead in their course material to prepare for when lectures resume.
     • Engaging in personal projects or entrepreneurial ventures.
3. Maintain Communication with Lecturers:
   • Where possible, students can maintain communication with their lecturers or course advisers to stay updated on any academic progress or announcements. Some lecturers may continue to provide materials or assignments via online platforms.
4. Form Study Groups:
   • Students can form study groups with their peers to keep the academic momentum going. Group discussions, reading sessions, and collaborative learning can help students stay academically engaged.
5. Plan for Contingencies:
   • Financially, students should plan for the possibility of extended strikes by budgeting for extra costs like accommodation and living expenses.

Conclusion

Union strikes are an inevitable part of the academic landscape in Nigerian higher institutions, often driven by valid concerns related to funding, working conditions, and government policies. While strikes can cause significant disruptions, students can manage the challenges by staying informed, using the time productively, and preparing for the eventual resumption of academic activities. Understanding the role of unions and the reasons for strikes provides students with a broader perspective on the complexities of higher education in Nigeria.