‘Lenient marking, rent support’ — students share post-strike expectations from varsities

BY CALEB IJIOMA

Following the suspension of the eight-month strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on October 14, students have shared their expectations from the universities on ways to help them cope after the long break from school.

ASUU had embarked on strike on February 14 over failure of the government to meet their demands, which includes funding for public universities, earned academic allowances, and promotion arrears.

The strike led to a suit filed by the federal government at the national industrial court, after which the lecturers were ordered to resume.

Announcing the suspension of the strike, Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU president, had said the decision was in obedience to the order of the court, and not because the federal government had met the union’s demands.

“As a law-abiding union and in deference to appeals by the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, and in recognition of the efforts of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and other well-meaning Nigerians, ASUU NEC resolved to suspend the strike action embarked upon on 14th February 2022,” Osodeke said in a statement.

“Consequently, all members of ASUU are hereby directed to resume all services hitherto withdrawn with effect from 12:01 on Friday, 14th October 2022.”

Speaking on expectations following the suspension of the strike, Adegboye Olatunji, the south-west coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), expressed concern over the possibility that tertiary institutions may hike tuition fees.

“School management should liaise with the community and landlords to assist students in reducing the house rent and also managing and averting crises that may occur between landlords and students,” he added.

“Students should be of good behaviour as much as possible as most lecturers might not be happy with the situation.”

Olatunji also said since the union said its concerns had not been addressed, ASUU might embark on another industrial action in the coming months.

Timothy Opeyemi, a student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), urged lecturers to be lenient with students.

“In their dealings with students in class, assignments, projects and in their marking scheme or marking guide, lecturers should be lenient because many students will just reset their academic mental horizon after a long break,” he said.

Barakat Oyerinde of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) said her expectations are limited due to the conditional suspension of the strike.

On her part, Oyinkansola Ifelaja, also from FUNAAB, urged the university management and other stakeholders to ensure students are not extorted.

“Now that the strike has been called off, we know the very first expectation is our first-semester result,” she said.

“Then, our management should try as much as possible to help with the issue of transportation for those living outside the school because those drivers are ready to drain us.”