No date has yet been fixed for resumption of universities across Nigeria due to the strike by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) which has so far lasted eight months.
The union went on the strike to pressure the federal government to address its concerns over staff salaries, working conditions, earned allowances and obsolete infrastructure amongst other things.
Against this backdrop RNI’s reporter interacted with students of the University of Maiduguri on how the strike has affected them and the positive things they have done to keep busy.
Abubakar Mustapha a student of the health education department said that the strike has affected him very much because he could have graduated by now. Despite this he has taken this opportunity to continue the work he already does of looking after a provision store.
“This will also help me in the near future or whenever I graduate. I won’t wait for government to give me employment.”
Abubakar advised others not to stay at home doing nothing but to take this opportunity to build themselves up.
Another student Aisha Muhammad Muktar of the university pharmacy department said that as it is her first year the strike really disturbs her and affects her academic education.
However she added that she is learning tailoring/fashion design. After doing a three months’ course, she now makes beautiful dresses for people.
Aisha urged federal government to do everything within its power to address the challenges in the sector and also called for the strike to be called off soon.
Muhammad Ali of the micro-biology department explained that because of the strike he’s gradually losing the little knowledge he managed to acquire.
To fill his time he teaches children in the area where he lives and as he’s the son to a farmer he also works on the farm, where he’s growing groundnuts and beans.
“I call on other students to be self-reliant since there no fixed time for the resumption yet”.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) declared the said indefinite strike on 23rd of March 2020 after the expiration of its two weeks warning strike on the 9th of March 2020.
