By Jeremiah Ebedi

It has been 6 months, 26 weeks, 182 days since the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on a warning strike. In what was initially meant to be a four-week strike, days have turned into weeks, and weeks have turned into 6 months and threatening to go further. Recall that the union embarked on the strike in February, 2022 because the Federal Government of Nigeria was unable to meet terms set by the universities’ union. A popular saying goes, “When two elephants fight, the grasses suffer.” In this case, the students of Nigerian universities suffer.

In this story, we talk to students of the University of Benin in an attempt to know their plights and pleasures about the strike.

Considering the length of the protracted strike by the university lecturers nationwide, students can’t help but express their frustration. “The strike has disorganised my plans and affected the academic flow. It has killed the zeal to want to learn,” Obasi Joyce, a 200 level student laments.

Despite the disturbances created by the strike, some see this as an avenue to prepare themselves adequately. Isibor Ezekiel, another 200 level student gave an affirmative to this claim. “It had created a break for me to prepare myself both financially and academically because the academic session is usually brief,” he said. Just as much as students are affected, business owners in the school community aren’t left out.

As revealed by some, the frustration the strike has caused is one to really be angry about. “The strike has really affected my business. I supply fruit salad to buka and get steady income but since the strike, no show for me,” said Chukwuma Judith, a fruit salad vendor.

Otabun Temiloluwa who is into perfume business said, “Customers aren’t around and have gone home due to the strike. So, it hasn’t been beneficial to my business.”

Owing to the thought that the strike was going to be a short one, students who left their books in the school hostels have begun regretting the action. “I’ve not been able to open any of my materials during this strike. I didn’t even come home with them, thinking the strike wasn’t going to take long,” Winifred, a mass communication student said.

Students seem to have lost their zeal to read due to the absence of exams and tests pressure. Divine Osadolor, Public Relations Officer of the Educational Foundations Students Association (EFSA), University of Benin said he reads but only at spare times, “When I have the urge to read at my free time, I do read but not like when one is studying for a test or exam”, he said.

Instead of sitting down and wailing over spilled milk, many students have gone into other things to pass time while waiting for the strike, which as at today, entered its 180th day, to be called off. One of such students is Efe, the class representative of 200 level English and Literature, who said “I’ve had to look for alternatives. Right now, I’m into cinematography and have a media team.”

Joyce who was mentioned earlier said said she’s been involved in other things to cussion the effect of the strike. “I am into internship and it is to gain experience while the strike is still on,” she said.

In summary, students are in a state of plea for the strike to be called off. “Please, let the Federal Government and ASUU settle their differences and not just settle but settle it permanently”, Divine pleaded. Ezekiel also pleaded saying, “I’d plead that both parties should come to a consensus and end this strike once and for all.”

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