The Academic Staff University Union widely known as ASUU has embarked on its strike since 9th of March, 2020.
The strike among other things was as a result of the Federal Government’s new mandatory IPPIS, registration for all it’s workers. The federal government has argued that this new system would be beneficial in the following ways:
1. It would help to check the total cost of running Universities in general.
2. It would equally make a clearer and concise list of number of it’s employees.
3. Lastly, it would erase any form of corruption in the school system.
The federal government had insisted that every staff that wants to be paid should endeavour to register with the new IPPIS which means Integrated Personal Payroll Information System to commence due payment. ASUU had argued against this system challenging the government to pay them withheld salaries from February to date and as well settle it’s pending promises made to ASUU in the previous years.
On October, 13 2020 being Wednesday the House of Representatives had scheduled a meeting with ASUU as a step to bringing them in terms with the Federal Government as a means to ending the infinite strike. Sadly, there was no positive outcome as ASUU was still bent on disagreeing with the said IPPIS payment system. ASUU raised the issue of inconsistency insisting that the IPPIS affects academic workers in Nigeria institutions.
Following the ASSU strike action that was shield earlier by COVID-19 lockdown, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) had on October 5, 2020 announced the begining of their one week warning strike as a result of the unending ASUU strike over the IPPIS and the wasting of the Nigeria University system.
Amidst all these continous strike action, it’s important to observe the people behind the scene that are being affected. These are no other but the Nigerian students whose quest is nothing more but to graduate after years of study in the school of their choice. With the ever consistent strike in the country, this simple need of the average Nigerian student have been quashed to the mud burying all hopes in the hands of unconcerned federal government who would rather spent millions of naira in building or renovating a prison than spending it in the Educational sector.
For the past forty-two (42) since the first commencement of ASUU, ASSU strike have been consistent. Aside the Covid-19 pandemic 2020 ASSU strike would be counted as the longest in history lasting for about seven months and counting.
Although, in several occasions, ASUU had made it clear that they are fighting for the interest of the students and the general Nigeria University system yet, it would be unfair to note the physiological and financial effect each successful strike leaves in the minds of students.
Until ASUU strike is totally erased from the country, there’s no hope whatsoever for the Nigeria students as this action would continue to slow down their pace in the university, make the teaching learning process difficult as lectures would rush students after months of strike.
The federal government and the ASUU however resumed negotiation on Thursday October 15th after senate president intervention and outcry from Nigerian students.
