Things Remembered Strike: Nigerian Varsities Shut For 27 Months

Between 2013 and 2022, Nigerian universities were closed due to a series of strikes embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over poor working conditions, infrastructure deficits in the Universities, and a lack of autonomy, among other issues.

During the 10 years, the universities were shut for 27 months, which had serious impact on the country’s education system. The strikes brought academic activities to a grinding halt, which took a toll on thousands of students, lecturers, and parents.

The uncertainty and unpredictability of the academic calendar had become the new norm, leaving students in limbo and struggling to chart their future until the Ahmed Tinubu Administration came into power on May 29, 2023. The administration has been able to keep universities despite several threats by ASUU to embark on strikes again over the same issues.

Recently, the lecturers announced that they had achieved a breakthrough in their renegotiation of the 2009 agreement with the federal government.

Timeline Of The Strikes And Their Duration

2013: ASUU went on strike for five months and 15 days, demanding improved funding and revitalisation of Nigerian public universities.

2017: The lecturers held a one-month strike over unresolved issues with the government.

2018: The union stopped work for three months over the government’s failure to meet their demands.

2020: A nine-month strike took place against the government’s plan to implement the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS.

2022: ASUU began a strike in February, which lasted for eight months to press for the revitalisation of the universities, payment of earned allowances and improved funding for state universities.

These strikes disrupted academic activities in the universities, affecting students, lecturers and the overall education system.