ASUU strike: Students lose 13 months under Buhari

By CHRISTINE

Under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, undergraduates in universities across the country have lost at least 13 months from their educational calendar, owing to the recurring strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

ASUU is a union that aims to satisfy the welfare and interest of its members within the framework of promoting the cause of university education of Nigerians in Nigeria.

The union always has frequent conversations and meetings with the government to discuss their needs and set conditions. Whenever these conditions are not met, they proceed on a strike.

The first ASUU strike occurred in 1999 under the Obasanjo-Atiku administration, after the end of the military era. The strike lasted for five months.

Daily Trust outlines the timeline of the ASUU strike under the Buhari administration.

Buhari won the election under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was sworn into office on May 29, 2015.

The first ASUU strike under his administration was on August 17, 2017. This was as a result of the default from the government after they had signed an MOU with the union.

Out of the N1.3trn requested, only N200bn was paid, which caused the association to embark on a one-week warning strike in November 2016 to press for their funds. The strike ended in September 2017.

The second ASUU strike started on November 4, 2018, which lasted till February 7, 2019, making it a total of 95 days. This was also as a result of the outstanding issues between the Federal Government and ASUU as regards the 2009 agreement and the MoU of 2013.

The third ASUU strike commenced on March 23, 2020. The indefinite strike started the same week President Muhammadu Buhari imposed the lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic that was ongoing. The strike lasted for 9 months.

Earlier today, ASUU announced the commencement of another strike, which would last for four weeks. (Daily Trust)