FCE ABEOKUTA ON STRIKE

 

The Federal College of Education Osiele Abeokuta has suspended the on going first Semester Exams. This happened after Students of the Federal College of Education, Osiele Abeokuta, Ogun State, were already in the middle of their first semester examination when the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) ordered the commencement of the one-month long industrial strike.

While speaking with journalists in his office on Monday, Dr. Smart said that "the negative effects of industrial strike are enormous on the College, students and parents, adding that the government, particularly, Federal Ministry of Education should immediately proffer amicable settlement of all the demands of the academic union". He said there’s no way the College could generate revenue once the students were not in the college, it affects academic calendar, a three-year course would be extended, adding that by this strike the present academic session might split till next year, and the economic implications to parents are equally enormous.

The government should fast track the process, reaching agreement with the Union to reduce the psychological, academic, and economic negative effects of the strike, positing that as a result of the strike students had to be sent home to prevent untoward behaviours of students. It was reported that the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) had called out all her members to begin one-month long strike.

The Union made the decision after a meeting at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, Delta State, on Friday, June 10, where it assessed the level of Federal Government’s response to its requests, following the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum issued to government on the lingering issues of the industrial concerns. Dr. Smart Olugbeko, President, COEASU, and General Secretary, Dr. Ahmed Bazza Lawan, made this known in a press statement made available to the dispatch.

The statement reads inter alia, “The total strike action suspended by the Union in December 2018 will be resumed immediately for four weeks in the first instance. NEC shall reconvene after the four weeks of strike action to re-assess the level of the Government’s commitment on the issues for an appropriate decision on the way forward thenceforth.

“The Congress across the federation should convene on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, to adequately inform the Congress on the commencement of the strike action due to the festering issues and the status of inaction leading to the industrial action. “Leadership of the Union at all levels (National, Zonal and Chapter) should embark on an emphatic media campaign towards seamless public awareness on the issues leading to the strike action. “The strike action shall be total and all members of the academic staff in all Colleges of Education (both Federal and State) must withdraw from all statutory duties without exemption

The Federal Govenment has inaugurated the renegotiation team for FGN-COEASU 2010 Agreement. “The release of N15billion revitalization fund for both Federal and State Colleges of Education has been revalidated and approved by the Federal Government. “NEC however strongly condemned the oppressive actions of the following:

Provost of Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit, for truncating the national warning strike action in the College, ordering the arrest and suspension of some Chapter Executive Council members; and Governments of Oyo, Benue, Plateau and Ebonyi States for the unwarranted enforcement of “no work, no pay” without prior meaningful engagement in collective bargaining despite the Union’s long predisposition to alternative dispute resolution.

CAUSES OF STRIKE IN FEDERAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

In the heart of Ogun State, stood Federal College of Education, Osiele, a College of Education with a beacon of knowledge and enlightenment nationwide. Yet, beneath its grand facade, discontent occasionally brew among its governoring bodies, the government and the Nigeria labour congress, culminating into an unwanted event such as an academic and non-academic strike that shook the institution and every other Federal educational institution in the nation.

The causes of the strike are manifold, rooted in systemic issues that had long been ignored by the government. At the forefront was mismanagement, with allegations of ignored renumeration and delay in the payment of salaries surfacing. Lectures and faculty/department alike grew frustrated as essential resources dwindled, classrooms remained outdated, and basic facilities deteriorated.

Moreover, tensions simmered over academic policies that seemed increasingly detached from the needs of the students. Overcrowded classes, understaffed departments, and a lack of support services stirred up feelings of neglect. The government's reluctance to address these concerns only fueled the growing dissent.

As the grievances mounted, so did the calls for action. Various institutions, faculty/department and departmental heads held meetings, and petitions circulated demanding accountability and reform, especially for payments of salaries and bonuses that were already due. Yet, with each passing day, the rift between the government and federal tertiary institutions widened, pushing them to the brink of unwanted strike. Finally, the inevitable occurred – federal tertiary institutions declared a nation-wide strike. Classes were canceled, and administrative offices were closed.

The impact of the strike rippled far beyond the confines of the College grounds. Local businesses that relied on student patronage suffered, while parents fretted over the uncertain future of their children's education. For the students, the consequences were immediate and profound. With classes suspended indefinitely, academic progress stalled, leaving many unsure of their future prospects.

Meanwhile, the reputation of Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, widely known for over 40 years of a academic excellence and consistency in Ogun State was tarnished, casting doubt on the value of public education across the nation.

Ultimately, the strikes at Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, and other institutions across Nigeria served as a wake-up call, forcing the government to reckon with years of neglect and complacency which can be resolved through dialogue and compromise, and addressing the grievances that had sparked the strikes.