It was the evening of 3rd July, 2025 that we got the memo  by the chairperson of The Academic Staff Union of Universities UNIJOS, Prof. Jurbe Joseph Molwus on Whatsapp, ASUU had planned a strike action over unpaid salaries. They had given the Federal government a day’s ultimatum.  The strike commenced on Friday, 4th July, 2025.

“God abeg”,“Na just one year remain for me”, “Make nothing affect my graduation abeg” “Make  these people just give everybody certificate make we just dey match that way they won’t have to teach till next session” were the response in our 300l class group. Everyone was chipping in one or two quips for amusement. 

A strike would further delay our stay in school. We ought to have graduated since last year but now we are 5 years in and counting to the 6th.

I, for one, was unperturbed by the news. I had a pending assignment to submit on Monday, the strike would give me more time to finish it and I personally don’t even like Mondays like that. 

Monday, 7th July, no news. Everybody went about their business. We have Magazine production as a course requirement, that was our topmost priority. Around night time, the news came. Strike has been called off. After person don zero him mind say no school for the week. I had to go and find where I had thrown my tie the previous week (My department has a dresscode)💔

It’s hard being a student in Public University in Nigeria. You would think we would be accustomed to the system by now. I knew the strike wouldn’t last long, this administration has made its stance on education very clear. There will be no more strikes. I can’t even imagine the people who have to work without payment or delayed pay in this economy. I like what the ASUU staff did. Keeps the government on their toes. 

Well back to the old doghouse. Aluta continua!