By Ann M. Koenig, AACRAO International Education Services koeniga@aacrao.org
Just as a nearly three-month strike by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) over funding of tertiary education in Nigeria was called off, students at Nigerian state universities were caught unawares by a strike called on July 1 by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Academic activities resumed at federal and state polytechnics in Nigeria on July 17, but academic staff at Nigerian state universities are still on strike.
ASUU, which represents lectures and academic staff at Nigeria's public universities, is striking to protest the government's inaction on a 2009 agreement to provide more funding for state universities, and to increase the pay of instructors who supervise graduate students. This is the third round of strikes in the polytechnic and university sectors since the government's 2009 promise to increase funding. While the unions criticize the lack of funding to maintain and increase standards in Nigerian postsecondary education, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan was to present a financial package for university infrastructure amounting to US $2.5 million at a meeting with university unions on Monday, August 19. The government's hope is that the plan for this funding would end the ASUU strike. It appears, however, that support for the unions' position is growing in sectors of civil society that support organized labor.
Classes and other academic activities at the universities were shut down during the first week of July. At the moment it is unclear how the universities will conduct final examinations.
Selected news sources:
http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20130816104014920
http://goldmyne.tv/asuu-strike-jonathan-approves-n400bn-for-the-infrastructural-development-of-nigerian-universities
http://allafrica.com/stories/201307170501.html
http://m.news24.com/nigeria/National/News/ASUU-strike-grinds-activities-at-Unilag-20130703
http://www.voanews.com/content/university-teachers-strike-in-nigeria/1703677.html