The League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State has blamed the gale of brain drain in the country and the falling standard of education in the country on frequent strike actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The clerics, in a statement by the secretary general of the body, Imam Tajudeen Adewunmi, made available to journalists on Monday, said the industrial dispute between the federal government and ASUU often disrupts academic sessions and weakens the quality of education.
They called on the federal government to act quickly and decisively to find a permanent solution to the problems, noting that the lingering strike has placed a financial burden on parents and guardians who are forced to foot the living expenses and housing costs of their children, even while schools are closed.
“As religious leaders, we cannot remain silent when the education of our youths and the stability of our nation are repeatedly placed in jeopardy. Each round of strikes leaves behind painful scars. Students are trapped in prolonged academic calendars, unable to graduate when expected.
“Parents and guardians are weighed down financially, paying for accommodation and living expenses even while schools remain shut. Families endure emotional stress as uncertainty about the future of their children grows heavier. Beyond this, the long periods of idleness expose young people to vices such as crime, drug abuse and restlessness, problems that later spill over into our communities.
“The effect on the nation is equally profound. Frequent disruptions weaken the quality of education, producing graduates who are less competitive globally. Continuous strikes encourage brain drain, as both students and lecturers seek stability abroad. Local businesses around campuses collapse during closures, affecting livelihoods. More dangerously, the repeated instability erodes trust in our public institutions, weakening the hope and faith of citizens in the future of Nigeria,’’ the body said.
They also appealed to the federal government to take urgent and concrete steps toward resolving the issues once and for all by ensuring fair and sustainable remuneration for lecturers, improving infrastructure and teaching facilities across universities.
The Imams urged ASUU leadership to engage in dialogue with sincerity and respect for one another, pointing out that while complaints are legitimate, protracted strikes only make things worse for students, families, and the country as a whole.
