the Union of Academic Staff of Universities (ASUU) has been on strike for nearly five months to protest the Nigerian government’s failure to implement the agreements it signed with the union.
College campuses have been left deserted, as professors continue to avoid classrooms.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), a student body, has staged protests, at different times, calling on the government and ASUU to find common ground and reopen the country’s universities.
ASUU and the government have yet to reach an agreement despite a series of meetings.
Life has not been rosy for many of the teachers who have not been receiving their salaries.
PREMIUM TIMES recently spoke with professors from some universities in Nigeria to find out what they have been doing with their time while their schools remained closed.
Chidiebere Nwachukwu: (University of Nigeria, Nsukka). The strike has been hard for both students and teachers and even for the entire university community. Everyone has complained about the impact of the strike. On our part as academics it has also been very difficult. There are situations where both husband and wife are teachers and therefore the family has no other means of subsistence apart from their salaries. Imagine the stress they have been going through to find food for their families.
But beyond that, the strike has given some of us the opportunity to do some investigative work. So, we have not been idle. I have used the last five months to engage in intellectual and academic exercises such as research. In fact, the research has taken me a long time, as have other professors. It has been a good time for us to invest in research, so that we can publish them with the hope that the published works will have an impact on society, especially on policy making. In addition to research, we have also spent time writing books.
Kingsley Izuogu – ABSU
Kingsley Izuogu: (Abia State University, Uturu): Well, for me, I have never given up. Although I don’t attend conferences, I have been doing my writing assignments. In this period, I have submitted more than six articles to international journals. And right now, I’m working on a textbook that I called ‘Marketing Communication’. So, I’m not resting.
But then, the financial aspect is unbearable, because if there was any warning, one would have said ‘let me save for the rainy day’. So, nobody thought that this industrial action would have been delayed for a long time. We felt, perhaps, given that the country was approaching an electoral period, that they would have used that opportunity to resolve in time. But we did not know that we were dealing with deaf and dumb.
Edith Ohaja – UNN
Edith U. Ohaja: (University of Nigeria, Nsukka) I have been quite busy during this strike. I had some studies that were put on hold due to the huge workload while the students were in school. By the grace of God, I completed some and sent them to the selected magazines. I have been able to review a few that have received rave reviews and have sent them back to magazines for publication. So far, I have several new titles in my portfolio since the strike began.
When school resumes and the cycle of teaching and script editing begins again, there is little daily time left to attend to one’s research efforts, without which advancement as an academic is impossible.
I also update my website (edithohaja.com) and social media pages, particularly on Facebook, with faith-inspiring posts, pithy sociopolitical commentary, and creative writing.
Above all, I have plenty of time to think and pray. Our country is at a crossroads and we must all commit ourselves in one way or another to see to its rescue.
Obiorah Edogor – UNIZIK
Obiorah Edogor: (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State) I must say that the strike undertaken by the teachers is necessary to emphasize some urgent demands. But it has consequences and part of the consequences is that our main source of income has stopped.
So personally, the way I deal with it is that when the strike started, I started getting involved in other things. You know I can’t take a full-time job anywhere else right now. So, with my colleagues and friends and then the contacts I have, I do some professional communication consulting, either writing for a fee or speaking on occasion. As such, they pay me.
And then, I’m using this period to do my personal research work as well. I think the strike period is not a total waste for me. But I must say I miss my students. I am not happy that our universities are closed.
Faith Azubuike – MOUAU
Faith Azubuike: (Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State) We have been depending on God for our survival. I am trying to develop myself. Just self-development to learn some things that I need to learn. There are some academic things that I compiled during this ASUU strike period. How to write research and find funding agencies. Also reading books in my field to improve myself.
KC Ubaku–IMSU
KC Ubaku: (Imo State University, Owerri). For us teachers, every time we go on strike, it’s usually not easy. Someone like me, with me has not been easy. Although the Imo state government is trying to make sure that our monthly remuneration is paid. They haven’t failed in that area, but staying on the inside isn’t really easy. It has been very boring for all the professors here at Imo State University. Our experience here is different from that of federal universities.
Within this period of the ASUU strike, I have been using the time to participate in the research to the best of my ability.
Outside of lecturing work, I don’t have any other work that I’m doing. But some professors have been able to go into business.
So for me, I haven’t really been doing anything to improve my financial status. I have been doing research.