Pay inequities are fueling tensions across campuses in Nigerian colleges, which could lead to a walkout by non-academic personnel. Sen. Shehu Sani, a prominent political analyst and ex-lawmaker, warned of an imminent catastrophe on his verified Twitter account.
In a recent tweet, Sani brought attention to a large discrepancy in government payouts. Some university employees, including non-academic personnel, went without pay while professors got their paychecks. The unpaid workers' dissatisfaction with this disparity has escalated to the point where they are threatening to go on strike unless their concerns are resolved by tomorrow.
The tweet stated: "Professors at universities received payment. University employees and personnel were not compensated. A strike could be initiated tomorrow, according to their threats. Notified the minister. Let the FG prevent this. The constant strikes have made most recent graduates appear older than they actually are.
This circumstance highlights a persistent problem in Nigeria's educational system: the periodic strikes that extend students' time in university and disrupt academic calendars. Academic and non-academic staff strikes have been an ongoing problem for many years, with problems with pay, benefits, and working conditions being common causes.
Concerning the effect of these strikes on pupils, Sani's remarks provide a moving note. Because of the frequent academic interruptions and extended stays in universities induced by these strikes, the former senator bemoaned the fact that many recent grads look older than they actually are.
In order to avert the walkout, the federal government, and the Minister of Education in particular, have been encouraged to act swiftly on this matter. There is little time left before the deadline, therefore the government's action will determine whether institutions are once again thrown into disarray.