MAKURDI, Nigeria — The Benue State University, BSU, in Makurdi has been thrust into an indefinite strike by its Academic Staff Union of University, ASUU, chapter, leaving its gates locked and a cloud of uncertainty over its students and staff.
As of Friday, May 26, 2023, university gates were firmly secured, effectively preventing students and staff members from accessing the two campuses. In an interview, Dr Kwaehfan Tarmombo, Chairman of BSU ASUU, confirmed the development.
In his words, the strike is “indefinite, total and comprehensive.” Though Dr Tarmombo declined to give specifics, he attributed the strike action to “several problems” with the university administration.
John Ogi, a senior lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, provided additional insight into the situation. According to Dr Ogi, the university management locked the gates to disrupt a planned congress meeting by ASUU members.
“The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Benue State University Branch had at early hours of Friday scheduled a congress which was to brief her members of the directive from National Branch of ASUU,” Dr Ogi said.
“On getting to the gates of the university this morning all entrances to the university were under lock to prevent ASUU members from gaining entrance to the campus.”
This tense stand-off lasted a few minutes at the university’s gate and resulted in the formal declaration of a strike action right at the locked gates.
“The Chairman ASUU BSU made the pronouncement of the strike and ASUU members sang the solidarity song,” he added.
The indefinite strike plunges one of Nigeria’s prominent universities into an academic hiatus, leaving students and staff in balance.
The issues causing the strike remain undisclosed, and there’s no word yet on when normal university activities might resume.
