Organizational conflict and strikes in Africa : a focus on academic staff union of Nigerian universities

Abstract

One of the recurrent forms of conflict that has bedeviled the Nigerian university system is the progressive crisis between the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). This paper traced the history of ASUU strikes while focusing on the 2013 industrial action, which lasted from April to October. The study revealed the sad reality that strikes have become the go-to tool for forcing the government in Nigeria to be more committed to educational development of universities, payment of earned allowance, provision of infrastructure and improved financial allocation etc. The work also showed that industrial action by ASUU often leads to reduced quality of teaching and learning as lectures, academic conferences and workshops are suspended indefinitely in many of the public universities. The paper discussed the demonstrations that followed the strike and resolution process before recommending proactive strategies for the management of the perennial ASUU-government face-off.