ASUU Strike And The Dilemma Of Varsity Admission Seekers

The ongoing tussle by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and federal government is creating adverse effects, not only on the undergraduates and postgraduates, but university admission seekers alike.

The chances of candidates seeking admission into universities seems to be hanging in the air as most public tertiary institutions have backlogs of candidates yet to be officially admitted with results of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

I gathered that the six months old strike has stalled admission of two sets of students.

Despite the concerns raised by stakeholders, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) recently stressed that the prolonged industrial action by ASUU, cannot stop it from conducting another round of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) when it is due.

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, who gave the reason why the board cannot stop conducting UTME, said more than half of all private universities are in session while some public universities, particularly state universities are not on strike.

“I can mention some of them. I know of Osun State University, Lagos State University, Kwara State University and several others. And the reason for that is simple. Many of them are not on state government subvention and so their lecturers’ salaries are paid from the school fees.

“So they know that if they should go on strike, their salaries will not be paid,” he was quoted saying.

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) released results for the June Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination recently. Concerned stakeholders are worried over the fate of admission seekers due to protracted strike by ASUU.

A parent, Mr Damian Kator blamed the government for signing an agreement with ASUU why showing lack of seriousness in fulfilling it.

However, he pleaded with ASUU to consider the fate of millions admission seekers and undergraduates and call off the strike. “Many students are devastated because of this lingering strike.

“Some of them will never think of going back to school. It is high time the federal government and ASUU considered the fate of Nigerian students and end this crisis and allow for growth and development in the country,” he said.

An admission seeker, John Uge said he wrote UTME this year hoping that he will secure admission into university this year but “There is no hope now,” he said.