Students of the University of Jos have described the planned industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as timely. According to the students, the lecturers have tried various routes — issuing warnings, ultimatums, engaging the government — but to no avail, so their support is warranted.

During an interactive session held at the ASUU Secretariat of UniJos, the Student Union Government (SUG) President, Pwajok Kangyang, spoke on the state of the education system. She lamented that many faculties lack basic infrastructure: sometimes no chairs, no electricity, poor hostel conditions, and irregular water supply.

She also criticized the federal government for failing to avert the strike. She remarked that the students are the ones who suffer when the system fails, and affirmed that ASUU’s action is justified because dialogue and interventions haven’t yielded results.

She said:

“We are the primary beneficiaries of the education system … we see that the system is very poor … ASUU has followed due process … strike action is indeed their last resort, since meetings and submissions to the government have not brought change.”

The session was convened to inform students about the ongoing standoff between the lecturers’ union and the federal government.