LAWSAN Reacts To ASUU Strike; Calls On Federal Government To Urgently Address Lingering Issues

The Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN) has expressed concern over the recently declared warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

In a press statement signed by the Association’s President, Michael Arinze and made available to The Lawyer, the Association deplored the frequency of strike actions in Nigerian Universities which has battered Nigeria’s already weak educational system.

“The Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN) expresses grave concern and strong displeasure at the recent declaration of a warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

It is no longer news that strike actions in Nigerian tertiary institutions have become too frequent and has literally been elevated to an unbecoming tradition.

The ravaging effects of strike actions on our already battered educational system is incalculable and highly damaging as it distorts the academic calendar and occasions unwarranted and undeserved distress on our nation’s undergraduates.”

According to the Association, University students are priceless assets to the nation and should be given utmost priority by the government.

The statement further called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to address the grievances of the Association with a view to putting a full stop to frequent labour actions in the education sector.

The statement further read;

“As opined by one of Nigeria’s legal sages, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, “a University undergraduate is a priceless asset and threshold of useful service to the nation”.

We believe that as priceless assets to the nation, our welfare, encapsulated in this instance by our education, should be given utmost priority and should not be made the subject of an egoistic contest between ASUU and the Federal Government.

We therefore condemn in the strongest of terms the recent avoidable declaration of a one-month warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)

We therefore call on the Federal Government to take immediate steps to adequately address the grievances of our University lecturers with a view to perpetually terminating the protracted issue of strike actions in our university system even as we explore lawful means to press home our demands.”