Varsities Suspend 461,745 Students’ Admission over Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is set to hold branch congresses starting Monday, as the ongoing strike in Nigerian universities continues to disrupt academic activities nationwide.

Investigations by Saturday PUNCH revealed that the strike has caused universities to fail to process a total of 461,745 admissions.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) confirmed that the ASUU strike is a key factor delaying admissions, with many institutions yet to commence 2021 admissions despite repeated appeals.

Admissions Impacted by the Strike

• Federal universities: 424,442 quotas allocated; only 136,527 admissions processed.

• State universities: 232,801 quotas allocated; only 139,192 admissions processed.

• Private universities: 117,411 quotas allocated; only 36,947 admissions processed.

Certain programs also had large numbers of unfilled quotas:

• Medicine/Pharmacy: 33,671 admitted of 39,850 quota

• Social Sciences: 53,723 admitted of 89,747 quota

• Sciences: 70,221 admitted of 121,696 quota

• Engineering & Technology: 35,051 admitted of 58,451 quota

• Arts & Humanities: 31,478 admitted of 47,727 quota

• Law: 5,630 admitted of 8,055 quota

For the 2020 admission exercise, only 551,553 admissions were processed due to previous strike disruptions.

For the 2022/2023 admission session, JAMB reported that 1,649,310 candidates applied for university admission, with over 500,000 applicants targeting 10 federal universities.

ASUU Strike Timeline

ASUU has a long history of industrial action:

• 1999–2007: Multiple strikes ranging from 3 to 180 days under President Olusegun Obasanjo

• 2008–2009: Seven to 120 days under late President Umaru Yar’Adua

• 2010–2013: Strikes of 59–150 days under President Goodluck Jonathan

• 2017–2020: Four strikes under President Muhammadu Buhari, including a record 270-day strike in 2020

• 2022: Ongoing strike entering its 187th day

ASUU Response

The National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, confirmed that the union would not call off the strike, citing the government’s refusal to pay for months not worked. He stated:

“We have already given the minister an answer; we will move to a fresh session entirely.”

Branch congresses across the country are set to commence Monday to deliberate further action.

CONUA Statement

In contrast, the Congress of Universities Academics (CONUA) clarified that its members are not on strike.

National Coordinator, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, said:

“Our members across various universities are not on strike. Vice-chancellors should stop victimising our members. Withholding salaries from non-striking staff is unfair.”

He also noted that students have the legal right to seek redress if they feel aggrieved by ASUU’s action.

Related Article: BREAKING: FUOYE Begins Uploading Of Names on Jamb Portal For 2022/2023 Session

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will ASUU branch congresses hold?
ASUU branch congresses will commence on Monday to discuss the ongoing strike and next steps.

How many university admissions have been affected?
A total of 461,745 admissions across federal, state, and private universities have been delayed due to the strike.

What are the main reasons for ASUU’s strike?
The strike is over the release of revitalisation funds, earned allowances, end to proliferation of universities, deployment of the University Transparency Accountability System, and other outstanding demands.

Are all university academic staff on strike?
No. CONUA members are not on strike and have raised concerns about being unfairly penalised with salary withholding.

How long has the 2022 ASUU strike lasted?
As of the report, the strike has entered its 187th day, with no immediate end in sight.