When news broke that ASUU has declared a total strike again, many Nigerians just sighed, same movie, new season. The Academic Staff Union of Universities’ decision didn’t surprise anyone, but it definitely reminded us that nothing really changes in this country except the calendar.
The Never-Ending Drama
For over a decade, ASUU and the Federal Government have been locked in the same argument, unpaid allowances, poor funding, failed agreements, and endless promises. Now, ASUU has gone all in again with a total strike, and this time, it’s not even about threats. They’re serious. Students will soon start heading home again, lecturers will disappear from classrooms, and the education system will take yet another blow.
The ASUU president, Professor Chris Piwuna, sounded tired but firm when he said there’s been “no meaningful progress.” Honestly, who can blame him? The government always waits until the last minute, then rushes out press statements begging for peace. But what peace exists when lecturers are hungry, schools are underfunded, and young people can’t see a clear future?
Government’s Famous Timing
The government’s reaction came late, as usual. They begged ASUU to hold off on the strike, promising that President Tinubu had ordered talks and that a new committee was on it. But how many committees have Nigerians seen that actually fixed anything? The truth is, every time ASUU declares a strike, the Federal Government wakes up like someone who forgot an exam date.
The union gave them 14 days to act. Fourteen. They waited until two days to go before trying to sound serious. Who does that? It’s either a lack of respect or a lack of sense.
ASUU’s Point, Nigeria’s Problem
To be fair, ASUU’s frustration is justified. Their 2009 agreement has turned into a national joke. Universities are suffering, lecturers are demoralized, and students are left stranded. What’s painful is that, after every strike, we all return to the same old story. No lessons learned, no real progress just recycled promises and tired press conferences.
Too Much Talk, Too Little Action
Maybe ASUU should try a new strategy, not because they’re wrong, but because the endless strikes don’t seem to move the government anymore. Nigerians are exhausted. Students don’t even react with anger anymore. It’s just “ASUU again?” and everyone moves on. That’s how numb the system has made us.
This ASUU total strike is not just about unpaid allowances. It’s about how Nigeria treats education, like a side hustle instead of a national priority. A country that refuses to invest in its universities is simply digging a grave for its own future. While leaders send their children abroad, the ones here are forced into endless breaks, missing opportunities that can never be recovered.
