By Zakariya Baba Hardawa
I have seen pictures of students taking lectures in an over crowded theater, with some of the students sitting on a prayer mat or a bare floor. I could remember how exactly we attended lectures in a similar situation at the popular New Lecture Theater (NLT) of Abubakara Tafawa Balewa University about twenty-two years ago. I wonder if the situation still exists nowadays in Nigerian Universities with the intervention of CBN, NEEDS, TETFUND etc. These pictures were shared online to expose the Federal Government on its failure to address education problems, justifying that ASUU is doing the strike to save Nigeria’s education from collapsing. And, they are doing it to “help” the students.
The question I always asked and finally got answer to, is that strike itself is a problem, and a problem can never be a way of solving problems. As one of the successful students, I spent seven years in a university for a degree programme. My brother who is in level two will also spend seven years if he finished successfully without a spill over. And, my son who wrote and passed JAMB this year will have to wait for one year to be admitted to university, because there is a batch of Jambites ahead of him, who are to be admitted before him. I am one of many who were failed by ASUU, both as an undergraduate and postgraduate student, and now as a father. I want ASUU and ASUU hailers to think over this! Are they really helping matters? How could you say that you are doing it for parents and students while they are the major victims economically, morally, socially and educationally?
I am a sympathizer of ASUU on the issue of under payments of its salaries and emoluments. But ASUU is overloading the government, becoming so rigid and stern if not being so dictating on those demands. Hiding its contribution to the downfall of education, while blaming the government alone, without considering other sectors. Especially the situation of the country.
The first responsibility of government is protection of life and properties of people, which the current government is battling with. Enabling good environment for business is one of the other responsibilities. Education is also a right!
Before government gives permission for any institution to start or introduce a new department, certain requirement must be met, through its regulatory bodies like the University Commission. This commission set some standards for all institutions and departments, such standards are usually compromised by members of ASUU at various levels. These bodies including the related Professional bodies gives license, accreditation or interim accreditation for the programmes or courses to operate, and the accreditation/license are subject to renewal.
The requirements are based on human resources, student ratios in relation to number of lecturers and spaces which include the classes, library, laboratories, equipments, offices etc. The busy time in Universities is when it is time for inspection/accreditation by the NUC or Professional bodies. Instead of allowing it to go naturally for necessary corrections, suggestions, improvements or cancellation of programmes, these bodies are usually misinformed by swapping departmental resources by managements and of course members of ASUU! So it is on records that everything is alright and the Nigerian Universities has enough standards and facilities to operate. What has ASUU done to stop corrupt practices in the higher institution? Are they helping the government in ensuring everything is alright or manipulating accreditation? Are they helping matters regarding immoralities.
