Okowa, UI alumni seek end to ASUU strike
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, together with the University of Ibadan (UI) Alumni Association, has publicly called for a swift end to the prolonged strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), stressing the urgent need to restore normal academic activities in Nigerian universities.
The joint appeal, first reported in June 2022, highlighted the negative impact of repeated and extended industrial actions on students, parents, and the nation’s future workforce, particularly regarding lost academic time and delayed graduations.
Governor Okowa and alumni leaders emphasised that while lecturers’ welfare and university funding are important, industrial disputes must be resolved quickly through dialogue to minimise disruption to students’ education and opportunities. They urged both parties — ASUU leadership and the Federal Government — to return to good‑faith negotiations toward a sustainable settlement.
Their appeal coincided with wider national concern over ASUU’s ongoing actions, which have seen academic calendars repeatedly interrupted, hindering university operations and affecting students across the country.
Contents
Why This Appeal Matters
University alumni associations often carry the voice of graduates and stakeholders who have lived through the impact of strikes. Their support for a negotiated end to industrial action strengthens public calls for stability in the nation’s higher education system. Including a former state governor like Okowa — himself a UI alumnus — gives additional weight to these appeals.
FAQs: Okowa, UI Alumni Call on ASUU to End Strike
Who is Okowa and why is he involved in this call?
Ifeanyi Okowa is a former Governor of Delta State and an alumnus of the University of Ibadan. In his capacity as a public figure and university graduate, he joined the UI Alumni Association in urging an end to the ASUU strike to protect students’ academic interests.
What is the University of Ibadan Alumni Association’s position?
The UI Alumni Association has expressed concern about the disruptions caused by the ASUU strike, calling on all parties to accelerate negotiations and reach a settlement to prevent further loss of academic time.
What impact does the strike have on students?
The ongoing ASUU industrial action has repeatedly halted lectures, delayed academic calendars, and forced students to stay home, negatively affecting learning and future planning.
What are ASUU’s demands in the current disputes?
ASUU’s key demands include the renegotiation of the 2009 FG‑ASUU agreement, sustainable funding for public universities, payment of earned allowances and outstanding salaries, and improved working conditions.
Has there been progress toward ending the strike?
There have been ongoing negotiations between ASUU and the Federal Government, including suspensions of warning strikes and calls for renewed talks. Both sides continue to engage, though a final resolution is still pending.
Related Article: King University, Ibadan: School Fees (2026) Breakdown
Summary
The appeal from Okowa and the UI alumni highlights a broad concern among Nigerians about the disruptive effects of recurrent ASUU strike actions. Their call for a negotiated end reflects a growing consensus that students’ academic futures must be protected through constructive dialogue and swift resolution of disputes.
