Asuu Industrial Actions: Between Asuu and Government Is It an Issue of Rightness?

Abstract

This study examines the history of prolonged industrial conflicts between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN). This study provides a historical and sociological account of the origins, development, primary causes and effects of industrial conflict in Nigerian universities. Data was sourced from both primary and secondary (documentary) sources. The study concludes that the ongoing ASUU strike is as a result of FGN’s indecision on the issues at stake. There are several domestic issues at stake – low wages and conditions of services, poor funding, poor and dilapidating facilities. These issues should not be glossed at. The study further revealed that macroeconomic policies further contributed to the intensity of these disputes. The findings reveal that poor emoluments of academic staff coupled with deterioration in teaching and learning facilities contributed to the brain drain from Nigerian universities. The paper reveals that disputes between ASUU and FGN has been propelled by several factors – historical, economic and political as such may continue to be difficult to resolve.

Keywords: Industrial action, strike, collective bargaining, brain drain, dispute.