Anger As ASUU Extends Strike By 12 Weeks

By Akinwale Kasali

The hope of the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to reach a compromise over the Strike has hit another brick wall, as ASUU extended its ongoing  strike by another 12 weeks.

ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, disclosed this in a statement issued Monday morning, May 9, 2022.

He said this was to give the Government enough time to satisfactorily resolve all the outstanding issues that led to the strike that had already lasted more than 12 weeks.

It stressed in its statement  that the roll-over strike became effective from 12.01 am, May 8, 2021.

It said it took this decision after its National Executive Council meeting which started on Sunday night at the Comrade Festus Iyayi National Secretariat, University of Abuja.

Following this development, Nigerians have slammed the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government for the negligence the nation’s educational sector is facing.

Afro-fusion maverick Divine Ikubor, professionally known as Rema, has condemned the current crisis which continues to cripple learning activities in universities nationwide.

Taking to his social media, the Dumebi crooner lamented that since he got admission into the University of Lagos, which he announced earlier this year, he has been unable to attend any classes.

“ASUU, since dem give me admission I neva start school o, e don do nau!” he wrote in Pidgin.

He appealed to the Government to heed to the demands of ASUU to bring the strike to a halt.

Chinonso Asikwe, a Social Commentator said the fate of Nigerian students hang in the balance due to the lingering ASUU strike, lamenting that education has been neglected for election.

In the midst of the long strike action, the Minister of State, Education, Emeka Nwajiuba and the Minister for Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, are each aspiring to be the President of Nigeria in 2023.