Link to Article: https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00083429.html
For the 17th time since 1999 University Lecturers in Nigeria have gone on Strike, This occurred because the government backtracked on some of its prior agreements from 2009. One being the ASUU Agreement on working conditions of academics and the establishment of the UTAS system over the PPPIS system. Another demand is on the academic allowances, salaries, funding, and the release of white papers on visitation panels sent to universities. However, all these demands could come to a close if the Parliament decides to create 63 new public universities. Despite the cost of this it may be worth it for the Nigerian Government considering the 16 prior strikes that have occurred before this one.
It’s no secret that the continent of Africa has often been seen as lagging behind the rest of the world on many levels. Nigeria is one of the poorest developing Nations in the world, the ability to educate Nigerian citizens will both stimulate the economy and allow educated Nigerians to educate even more Nigerians. Nigeria catching up economically to other parts of Africa or even close to the level of European Nations would be obviously incredible for the Nation. That’s why I believe the Nigerian Parliament should create new Public Universities, if the Lecturers are going to be on strike nearly once per year then trying to fix the issues in that system could be as troublesome and probably as expensive as just making new universities.
Nigeria is a member of the African Union, if Nigeria had a good base for education then not only would it increase the prosperity of the country it could also increase the prosperity of surrounding Nations. Maybe some other Nations in the African Union don’t have access to the best education, even for the more wealthy part of the populace. If this Richer populace wanted to they could move to Nigeria to get their education. This would increase trust with Nations in the African Union and the rich immigrants moving to the country would spend money on food, water, and other living necessities. I think its an interesting prospect for Nigeria to establish public schools and I think its in their best interest to follow through.