The League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State has expressed concern over the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), noting that beyond endangering the education of young people, it exposes them to vices such as criminal activities and drug abuse.
The Imams stated that the frequent interruptions in the academic calendar weaken the standard of education, resulting in graduates who are less competitive internationally and fuelling brain drain as both students and lecturers seek stability abroad.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the Secretary General, Imam Tajudeen Adewunmi, the religious leaders urged the Federal Government to act promptly and decisively to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
According to the statement, the prolonged strike has imposed financial strain on parents and guardians who continue to bear housing and living costs even while universities remain shut.
Parts of the statement read: “As religious leaders, we cannot remain silent when the education of our youths and the stability of our nation are repeatedly placed in jeopardy. Each round of strike leaves behind painful scars. Students are trapped in prolonged academic calendars, unable to graduate when expected.
“Parents and guardians are weighed down financially, paying for accommodation and living expenses even while schools remain shut. Families endure emotional stress as uncertainty about the future of their children grows heavier. Beyond this, the long periods of idleness expose young people to vices such as crime, drug abuse and restlessness, problems that later spill over into our communities.
“The effect on the nation is equally profound. Frequent disruptions weaken the quality of education, producing graduates who are less competitive globally. Continuous strikes encourage brain drain, as both students and lecturers seek stability abroad. Local businesses around campuses collapse during closures, affecting livelihoods. More dangerously, the repeated instability erodes trust in our public institutions, weakening the hope and faith of citizens in the future of Nigeria.
“We therefore appeal to the Federal Government to take urgent and concrete steps toward resolving these issues once and for all. This includes ensuring fair and sustainable remuneration for lecturers, improving infrastructure and teaching facilities across universities and providing continuous funding for research and innovation to drive national development.”
They further urged ASUU to engage in dialogue with honesty and mutual respect, acknowledging that while the grievances are genuine, prolonged strikes only worsen the situation for students, families, and the nation at large.
In a strike bulletin no. 2 released by the National Strike Coordinating Committee (NSCC) and signed by Dr Christopher Piwuna at the weekend, ASUU stated that discussions with the Federal Government regarding the ongoing industrial action had commenced.
This follows the commencement of a two-week warning strike by ASUU on Monday of the previous week, which has paralysed academic activities in public universities across the country.
