PERCEIVED DECAY IN THE NIGERIAN TERTIARY EDUCATION SYSTEM, WHO IS TO BE BLAMED: ASUU OR FGN?

By: Oshidele Babatunde Oladotun

On Monday, 14th August, 2017, hell was let loose, the greatest fear of an average Nigerian university student came to pass. The highest governing body of the tertiary educational workers, the Academic Staff Union of  Universities went on an indefinite industrial action.

This would surely result to a continuous dilapidation in the already decayed tertiary education system.

My cogent concern isn't when the strike will end, but the negative effects of the industrial action on every Nigerian university student.

In continuation, the lingering question on my mind is; Who is to be blamed for this hullabaloo? Is it the self righteous and corruption fighting Federal Government of Nigeria or the supposed students interest driven Academic Staff Union of Universities?

There is no gainsaying the elders adage that says "where two elephants fights, the grasses suffers the ruins". It is very audible to the deaf and visible to the blind that we the innocent Nigerian students are swallowing the lion share of the ruins of this mighty entities at loggerhead.

Before I conclude, let me quickly highlight few of the bitters pills the entire Nigerian student populace are destined to swallow due to this national crisis.

1. Delay in the pace of the academic calendar.

2. Interruption of seasoned academic activities.

3. Inconsistency in the quality of education being offered.

Ain't trading blame to any of the parties involved as they are both guilty for the negative consequences of the industrial action on the nation's educational sector. FGN should listen to ASUU's requests and proffer a long lasting solution. Likewise, let ASUU make the interest of the students their utmost priority and be considerable enough with their requests.

Long Live Academic Staff Union of Universities!
Long Live Nigerian Universities!!
Long Live Federal Government of Nigeria!!!