The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) recently ended its eight-month-long strike, but some parents, public commentators, and others have expressed concern about the students' prolonged absence, noting that the strike had disrupted academic arrangements and had a negative impact on the students.
Professor Godwin Jireh, a theologian, parent, and public affairs commentator, lamented that the Federal Government had allowed the strike to last for eight months.
He claimed that the Federal Government did not appear concerned about the future of university education in the country or the plight of students, the country's future leaders.
"Aside from increasing the exodus of the best brains from universities, this protracted strike has led to a sharp peak in street violence, youthful fraudulent acts, and other crimes such as gambling, cyber-crime, and immorality," said Professor Jireh, an apostle and rector of All Nations Christian Institute.
"When Edward James Olmos said, 'Education is the vaccine of violence,' he knew exactly what he meant."
"In fact, the ASUU strike has had a significant impact on the lives of the students who have been affected." Yes, calling off the strike provides some relief. It does not, however, guarantee that the students will not miss a single academic session.
"However, the reality is that the situation as a whole makes education less interesting and puts students in a bind when classes resume.
"The psychological trauma caused by the eight-month strike will be overcome by the students if they keep in mind that Nigeria is a nation of the fittest, and they should also see no reason to regret because the industrial action was beyond their control."
"Lecturers will make up for lost time, but the quality is a major concern because they acted in deference to the decisions of the Appeal Court rather than willingly as the reason for not achieving."
Dr. Rexkennedy Saltlove, a public affairs analyst/activist and president/executive director of Citizens Rights and Empowerment Advocacy Initiative (CREMA Initiative), also stated: "The recent ASUU strike, which lasted eight months, is one too many."
“Its tolls on the students, society and the socio-economic and psychological impact is one that cannot be quantified.
"In order to begin offering solutions for regaining lost ground, both psychologically and academically, we must first diagnose what is or was lost and assess how likely it is that it can be recovered without attempting to cast a bleak and pessimistic outlook."
"Due to industrial actions, students have lost 17 months, or more than four semesters and two academic years, between March 2020 and now" (ASUU strikes)
"These strikes cause students to take longer to graduate, which has an impact on planning and goal setting based on the expected time of graduation."
"The disadvantage of this is the psychological impact, which may lead to depression and loss of interest in students' desire to study as the students' mental alertness and peak state during classes should have been dulled which could lead to frustration.”
Hon. Charles Anike, the national president of the Eastern Union (EU), for his part, stated, "Well, for me, I don't think we should be talking about recovering any losses because the losses are frightening." What will the students do to recover?
"Academically, they have lost one academic year that they will never be able to recover." Those who were supposed to graduate this year have missed it, and they will not be able to graduate this year.
"Those who were supposed to advance to the next class this year are unable to do so. And let me tell you, it's very frustrating. This is the extent and nature of the APC-led Federal Government's insensitivity in governance."