USA Africa Dialogue Series - Enough of the Self-Sacrificing Heroism of Academics (ASUU) in Nigeria

"Assuming that it does not put him in a spot, at this very sensitive electioneering epoch,  it should be worthwhile to consider what e.g. Professor Mobolaji Aluko has to say about today's ASUU strikes and those that have occurred in the past…"

It was good to read the above piece. Here are some of thoughts on the peice.

 My Thoughts/Comment: I think the (re) negotiation has passed the Aluko proposal, if the information available to the public should be taken seriously.

May be the question is- after about two decades of about 16 national  strikes in the Nigerian university, is it possible that the culture of strike will come to an end and How(if)?

And if to run a university might only mean to stop strikes and accept the status quo irrespective of the possible terrifying outcome -which for any anyone at the home with the university idea in an average civilized world - could mean to ridicule the idea- what if the entire University degree programmes in Nigerian universities  are  redesigned for two years and three years respectively -where after graduating at two years level (which could function more just for university for teaching/applied learning ) –may be -those who wish have the full degree can come back to another full 3 years programme of intensive research and learning.

While the former  at University level A-can be educated to work and pay a paltry fees for this reason, then later (at another level of intense learning of 3 years)-University Level B- leading to the full degree/Higher degree interested students can come back to pay heavily to become thinkers and creators of jobs.

My claim is that the huge intake into the university may be part of the challenge facing university education in Nigeria and that a mid-university programme that eliminates this challenge could lead to the kind of  (a)"Polytechnic-job focused –technical university" that may be promoted in Nigeria  and another (b) Research-focused University that can also be promoted -whereby the  later could be designed for people  who can then pay more and achieve a higher form of education.

Just  trying to think differently about the problem!

Lawrence Ogbo Ugwuanyi,Ph.D

Professor of Philosophy

UNIABUJA

 

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