Speaking during a recent official visit to federal government-owned institutions in Lagos State the minister confidently declared that the education sector will never witness any form of industrial action. AUGUSTINE OKEZIE examines the assurance against the backdrop of restive unions that cluster the sector
Hear the minister ‘’by the grace of God, we have seen the end of strikes in our various institutions. The Federal Government started addressing all pending issues in the sector. Over N500 billion has been released to the education sector for this purpose, ‘’
According to Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, the federal government had released N500 billion to the education sector for the settlement of pending arrears and allowances and that the issue of strike as means of settling disputes in the educational sector would soon be over.
Shekarau spoke during his official visit to Federal Government-owned institutions in Lagos State yesterday.“By the grace of God, we have seen the end of strikes in our various institutions. The Federal Government started addressing all pending issues in the sector. Over N500 billion has been released to the education sector for this purpose, ‘’ he said.
The question on the lips of several concerned stakeholders is on whether the government and indeed the present minister of Education can free themselves from the restive activities of the various unions that litter the sector
Kehinde Adegoke, a Lagos based social commentator sees strike action as the only language Nigerian government understands, and therefore regards Labor unions as using it as the only means of approaching issues with government, knowing full well that when two elephants fight, it is the grass that surfers.
The seemingly boundless strike action, which has continued to ravage the nation like an inferno since almost four months now, appears to be contagious as more organized labor unions are threatening to join on solidarity grounds.
Reacting to one of the suspended strike embarked upon by ASUU last year ,president Jonathan said government has increased the budget of education from N234.8bn in 2010 to N426.5bn in 2013.
He added that the FG in 2013 allocated N55.74bn to the university sub-sector alone.
Jonathan also said FG had released N130bn to universities for infrastructural development and payment of earned allowances to staff of universities.He added that the government was seriously working on the best ways to ensure the implementation of the Report of the Needs Assessment Committee for Universities.
“I wish to once again call on ASUU to allow reason to prevail by immediately calling off their ongoing strike action in the interest of the nation and our children while government systematically continues to address the myriads of challenges facing our university system.
“I call on the university teachers to work with the government to make our universities centres of excellence,” Jonathan said.
But stakeholders in the education sector, parents, analysts, as well as the general public are now wondering whether there will ever be an end to strikes in Nigeria’s education sector
Speaking on the protracted strikes in the education sector, , a Management Accounting specialist and the Executive Presidential Special Adviser for Private Sector Trust Companies-International Organisation for Economic Development (IOED), a Specialised Institution of the United Nations, Professor Chris Boyejo, feel the various unions and the government should be able to strike a deal and reach an equilibrium, saying strike action should not be the only solution for solving national crisis.
He referred to a time in the annals of the United Kingdom labour history where labour would go on strike for every trivial issue like lack of tea break, but Margaret Thatcher emerged and made the British realize that it was no longer tolerated, stressing that Britain is better for it today and insisting we should stop living in the past in Nigeria.
His words: “Honestly, the whole episode and seasons of strikes in Nigeria is appearing to be more than a co-incidence. Why on earth should all the unions be threatening to go on strikes simultaneously? Does it occur to our labour leaders that each time a nation goes on strikes the economy loses so much revenue? Is strike the only panacea for solving national malaise? What happens to the power of negotiation?
“I am apolitical and non-religious by training and calling, but I am afraid there seems to be so much external influences within tele-guiding the unions.
“The problems in Nigeria did not start with the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, so why do we suddenly want solutions in a jiffy? Are we serious about joining the league of 20 best economies in 2020? Then our attitude to strikes and picketing must stop.
“No individual, citizens and nations can make rational decisions when we are captivated by sentiments. I am of the informed opinion that some of our labour unions have become ploy-toys in the hands of some vested interests or they have suddenly become vulnerable. The union is unfair on this government to expect that we can waive the magic wand and expect all our woes to go. We have some very serious problems like corruption, infrastructural decay and power outages, etc but the culture of strikes will dissuade foreign investors in injecting funds into our economy.
“At a time in the annals of the United Kingdom labour history, the labour would go on strike for every trivial issue like lack of tea break. Then came Margaret Thatcher who made the British realised that it was no longer ‘uhuru’; that the sun could never dawn on the British Empire became a myth. Before we knew it, the consciousness and the lazy attitude of some of the citizenry (subjects) changed. Now, the economy is solidly stable and vibrant because Lady Margaret Thatcher sowed the seed and at that time, we called her names. She came in during the latter days of my student life in the U.K.
“If we want a free-enterprise economy, then we must go the whole hog. The syndrome of strikes must be an aberration, period!” Boyejo said.
He said trade unions should shift grounds. “For goodness sake, ASUU, ASUP should be prepared to shift grounds in negotiation. The children are tired, wasting and becoming grossly disenchanted. Why don’t they consider looking at the government position with an open-mind? I will want ASUU, ASUP, NUT, etc, to talk also about the excessive cost of running our legislatures. Perhaps we could make some savings therein which will help the national economy. Why don’t they start talking of the relevance or otherwise of JAMB and NUC? We must not destroy this nation on the altar of politicking. This house must not crumble,” the don said.
Vice-Chancellor, the Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, Prof. Adebayo Adeyemi, described the lingering industrial by the unions in the education sector as a national problem, and not a blessing to the private universities.
Adeyemi, while briefing the press, said both the Federal Government and ASUU should meet and reach an implementable agreement, which the contending parties must abide with.