Lecturers of the University of Ilorin on Tuesday after 20 years decided to follow the order of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to go on a two-week strike. The University unlike several other Federal University is notable for not being a part of ASUU for two decades.
That is, before now, their school session was never interrupted with strike and they are recommended for their stable academic calendar. On 9 March 2020, Biodun Ogunyemi the national president of ASUU at the executive meeting of the union announced the two-week warning strike.
According to the national president of ASUU, the strike is a result of the failure of the Federal Government to implement the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, the 2013 Memorandum of Understanding and the 2017 Memorandum of Action.
Moyosore Ajao the University ASUU branch chairman made it known that the University of Ilorin will partake in the two-week strike. While he spoke about the sudden development, he stated that although the school for 20 years was not a part of ASUU, there is always a beginning and an end to everything.
He apportioned the blame for ASUU getting so bad to the disreputable Minister of Finance who refuses to pay workers after months of working really hard. The irresponsible government also plays a part in the Union becoming so bad.
According to Moyosore Ajao, till the two-week strike is over, the school activities will be on hold including their on-going first-semester examination. He further stated that the lecturers of the school won’t involve themselves in any official activity.
Not joining ASUU for close to two decades now has not profited the university in any way, in fact, has only made colleagues from other University slam the school as traitors.
Students however air their concerns as the school embarks on the stress. As gathered, a law student from the school stated that the University joining the strike is shocking and it’s like the thing that made the school special has been stripped off them. Kunle Akogun the spokesperson of the institution has been silent following the recent and new development.