ASUU: Prolonged Strike Action Threat to Peace and Security – Chuks Iwunoh

The extended strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) can further affect the nation’s fragile peace and security if not addressed urgently.

Mr Chuks Peter Iwunoh, the President and Founder of Impact Alliance for Peace and Humanitarian Development (IAPHD) and a Member of International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS), stated this today while analysing the negative effects the prolonged strike action could have on students, parents/guardians and the nation as a whole.

“When you keep students at home for this long, it certainly will have negative effects on society. First, the psychology of the students is battered as they are no longer sure of the future. This can lead to frustration which in turn can lead them to embracing crime in a bid to get back at society.

“More so, when they are left idle for this long, they might take to social vices to fill the vacuum created by the prolonged ASUU strike”, he said

Mr Iwunoh warned that there might be a significant rise in crime if the impasse between government and the union is not resolved quickly.

“It’s already late but the situation is not beyond redemption. Allowing it to keep lingering beyond now is a recipe for disaster. All stakeholders must as a matter of urgency work towards resolving the crisis as soon as now or the entire nation walks into a cauldron of fire”, he counselled.

Recall that the Academic Staff Union of universities, ASUU, has been on strike since February 14 over the non implementation of agreements reached with the federal government in the past and other issues related to funding emoluments.

The varsity teachers dashed the hope of students and parents who had hoped that they would call off the strike action following their NEC meeting in Abuja last night/early this morning. However, the outcome of the meeting was that the strike action was extended indefinitely.