Abubakar Mamuda, the chairman of the Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU), has observed that the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, will have devastating effects on students, quality of education and the registrars themselves.
Speaking at the 71st Business Meeting of the association in Abuja, he enjoined all unions in the institutions currently on strike to change their approach.
He noted that strikes had grave consequences on the education and economy of the country.
According to him, “It is true that the struggles of the unions have brought about significant benefits to the Nigeria University System (NUS). However, in view of its negative effects to the system, there is a need for change in the approach of the unions in pressing home their demands.”
While suggesting an alternative approach for the aggrieved unions and the striking workers, he said Nigeria should go the way of Germany by establishing work councils.
He stated that the work councils would comprise representatives of employees and government where issues of conditions of services and remuneration will be tackled without obstruction to academic activities.
Ayuba Wabba, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in a remark, explained that the lack of honouring agreements on the part of the government made unions and workers resort to strike.
Speaking on the theme, “Managing Trade Unions and University Administration in an Era of Uncertainty”, Wabba believed that government officials were not truthful in saying Nigeria lacked resources to fund education.
