Academic Staff Union Of Universities Research Articles

DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A WEB-BASED INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR UNIVERSITY STAFF UNION

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Nigerian public universities has long championed the welfare and interests of academic staff. However, operational inefficiencies stemming from manual processes hinder its effectiveness in addressing contemporary challenges. This inefficiency hampers ASUU’s effectiveness and limits its ability to interact efficiently with its members and stakeholders. Therefore, this study proposes that the ASUU Web-Based Information System (AWBIS) should modernize data management, communication, and decision-making within the union. Drawing on related work in online information systems across various sectors, the methodology involves requirements gathering, leading to the development and implementation of AWBIS. Leveraging development technologies, AWBIS offers modules for member management, communication, event organization, and biometric attendance. This project uses the waterfall model approach to developing software as the research methodology. The data collection techniques include interviews and questionnaires. The AWBIS enables various operations to be performed online, consisting of registering members by the admin, logging members, and allowing members to manage their profiles. The system also provides a login page for both members and admins, each with their own username and password. A secure and accessible database for storing memberprofiles, academic information, and other relevant data was created. The successful implementation of AWBIS will significantly streamline ASUU’s operations, resulting in improved communication, reduced administrative burden, and enhanced transparency. Members will have access to up-to-date information, and the system will facilitate better coordination of ASUU’s activities. Future enhancements, including financial management, election processes, loan applications, and mobile app development, are suggested to further optimize AWBIS’s functionality and accessibility. AWBIS is a model for leveraging technology to advance organizational efficiency and effectiveness within the education sector.

ASUU Strike in Nigerian Universities: Implications for Students in Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria

Abstract The strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Nigeria has significant impact on different stakeholders. Hence, this study investigated the implication of ASUU strike on students in Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, by examining the lifestyle of students during ASUU strike; its effects; and the coping strategies employed by the students during the strike. This study was conducted among undergraduates of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye. Cross-sectional survey design was used and 132 undergraduates were sampled using convenience sampling. Primary data were collected through the questionnaire, and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as simple percentage and frequency count. Results showed that more students engaged in actively participating in social media and praying for the strike to be over, relaxation, and learning of skills while gardening, getting a certification course or interim job were the least engaged by students during the ASUU strike. The results above indicated that boredom was the highest effect of ASUU on students’ lifestyle, followed by worry and by anxiety while mental issues was the least felt consequence of ASUU strike by students. The study also revealed that the students employed some coping mechanism such as praying for an end to the strike, social media usage, learning a skill and even sleeping to mitigate the implications of ASUU strike. The study then concluded that the disruption of academic activities during the ASUU strike made students engage in different lifestyles while overcoming its effects by using coping strategies.

Trade Unionism and Welfare of Members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Uyo Branch, 2010-2020

The study emerged from the abysmal welfare conditions in the Nigerian public university system particularly as it concerns members of ASUU in the University of Uyo. The study sought to ascertain the extent to which trade unionism by ASUU has enhanced the promotion of members of the Union and to examine the role ASUU has played in ensuring the payment of fringe benefits to members. The research adopted Conflict Theory as a theoretical guide. A survey method was adopted for the study. A structured questionnaire and interviews were the instruments used to obtain data from the respondents. A sample size of 301 was selected from the population using a simple random sampling technique. Data for the study were obtained from both primary and secondary sources. A one-way ANOVA statistical method was adopted to test the two research hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed that there is no significant relationship between trade unionism and the promotion of the members of ASUU and that the payment of fringe benefits to members of ASUU at the University of Uyo has no relationship with unionism in ASUU. The research recommended that ASUU should adopt a workable mechanism for collaboration with the university management on timely promotion, design a precise template to guide payment of fringe benefits and encourage members to join the Uniuyo Academic Staff Multipurpose Co-operative Society.

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) – Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Trade disputes and the advancement of University Education in South-South, Nigeria

The study examines ASUU-Federal Government trade disputes and the advancement of university education in Nigeria, a study of Universities in South South Nigeria; University of Port Harcourt, Delta state university and Niger Delta University, 2010-2022. Universities Nigeria has at various times experienced disruption in their academic calendar due to industrial disputes between FGN-ASUU, state government-ASUU or university management. But the goals of tertiary education are fundamental to the building of a productive society, through the ground work for excellence expertise, research and release technological breakthrough, but universities education have suffered setbacks from strikes, leading to loss of man hours in teaching and learning. Scholars have contended that trade disputes have tremendously affected the fabrics of the university system and the productivity of the Nigerian economy. Others have argued that trade unions have become veritable tools and important agents of quality education and socio-economic transformation. It is based on this that the study investigates ASUU/FGN disputes in Universities. The study is be guided by three main objectives. First to identify the causes of the protracted trade disputes between FGN-ASUU, secondly, to evaluate the positive effects of disputes on the advancement on infrastructural development and the third to examine the effect on quality education. To achieve the objectives, the study employs the Hegelian Dialectics theory as its explaining framework for analysis. Data from primary sources generated from questionnaires and was complemented with focus group discussion for this study. The responses from the field work through questionnaire are presented in simple frequency distribution, tables and the quantitative data are analyzed using SPSS statistical tool. The findings show and ascertain that industrial disputes between FGN-ASUU is a blessing in Nigeria Universities’ as result of establishment of Tetfund and the massive infrastructural advancement and others for qualitative education. The recommend among others government must budgetary allocation to 26% bench mark and abide by the agreements signed with ASUU

Private Universities in Nigeria: Their Emergence, Proliferation, Significance and Funding

The Nigerian public university education system has faced challenges in recent years, affecting the timely graduation of many students. The smaller number of universities, their insufficient enrolment spaces and frequent strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have been greatly responsible for the problem. This has led to a shift in attitudes towards public universities, with parents and students increasingly patronizing private universities over them. This, in turn, has led to the proliferation of the said private universities. However, many students and parents cannot afford private universities due to high tuition fees since the institutions have to fund all their programmes and pay staff salaries and other administrative costs, which amount to a lot of expenses. This has led to a question of whether the Federal Government could partner with private universities to fund them, even if partially. This present study, therefore, argues that, given their usefulness, private universities should be encouraged and supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which was established by the Nigerian government to support public tertiary institutions in the country.

Electro-Learning amidst Covid-19 Lockdown and Related Challenges of Undergraduates in Nigerian Universities

This paper examined the various electronic learning platforms adopted by undergraduates in Nigerian Universities which include both private and public universities in Nigeria and its related challenges during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. The coronavirus’ enormous consequences, which affected all countries and industries, influenced around 91% of the world's students. The objective of this study is to investigate the experiences of private and public university undergraduates in a Nigerian University, to determine whether there is a significant disparity in the accessibility, affordability, and ease of use of the various e-learning platforms that were adopted during the global pandemic lockdown. The study employed the survey method in eliciting useful information from undergraduates in Covenant University, and in the University of Lagos. The population of the study consisted of 374 undergraduates from both schools. Due to the inaccessibility of students whose lecturers were on industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the questionnaire was physically distributed to students at Covenant University, while a Google form was generated for students at the University of Lagos. Data was analyzed using descriptive techniques in frequencies, percentages, and linear regression analysis. Results from the study revealed that 68.1% of students at Covenant University utilized more e-learning platforms like Moodle, Coursera, Zoom, and WebEx unlike their counterparts at the University of Lagos who used only Moodle and Zoom with 43.6%. Also, 87.5% of Covenant University undergraduates made use of their laptops mostly for their e-learning classes while 56.4% of their counterparts in the University of Lagos mostly made use of their smartphones. Findings revealed that students from public Universities faced major challenges such as unstable internet, limited financial capability in buying devices such as laptops, and lack of skill and competence in navigating the e-learning platforms while students in the private universities on the contrary had relatively stable internet connectivity, could afford laptops and smart devices and had the requisite skills to properly navigate their e-learning platforms. The study concludes by recommending the provision of substantial financing that will aid in the acquisition of relevant technology to promote and support e-learning in public universities in Nigeria. It also suggested the inclusion of public University students with adequate training on how to navigate the e-learning platforms, thereby equipping them with the requisite skills needed to maximize the benefits of e-learning. The study emphasizes how the use of e-learning can be an effective sustainable learning solution for current and future situations by the main actors, educators, and learners. In the long run, the Nigerian educational system would be better prepared to face future emergencies that may warrant the adoption of remote learning.

Estimating the Disparate Quantitative Cumulative Impact of ASUU Strike on the Economic Growth: Evidence from North-East Nigeria

The study explores estimating the disparate quantitative cumulative impact of ASUU-strike on the economic growth: Evidence from North-East Nigeria. First, we study strike actions by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Nigeria and recent changes in the actions of the employer (Federal-Government-of-Nigeria), using primary data collection from each of the Federal and State own Universities of the six states of the North-Eastern Nigeria demographics over the period 2022-2023. We employed structured questionnaires and random sampling distribution to gather data for analysis. Next, we used panel data analysis to estimate data collected with particular emphasis on random effect. We find that the average effect of food-vendors, taxi-drivers & Okada-riders, landlord, banks domiciled on campuses and stationary sellers over ASUU-Strikes when all these independent variables changes across time and between universities increases by 1%, ASUU-Strikes decreases the incomes of food-vendors, taxi-drivers & Okada-riders, landlord, banks domiciled on campuses and stationary-sellers by about 2%, 3,9%, 9.3%, 14.7% and 9% respectively, holding all other predictors constant. We discuss implications for policy, indicating that ASUU-strike affects the level of economic activities of businesses domiciled in the university system and neighborhood-shops around the university campuses thereby further depresses nation’s economy. Finally, we make recommendations.

Impact of Academic Staff Union of Universities’ (Asuu) Dispute on Management of Public Universities in North Central Nigeria

Impact of Academic Staff Union of Universities’ (Asuu) Dispute on Management of Public Universities in North Central Nigeria

The impact of academic staff union of universities’ strikes on Nigerian students

The incessant strikes in Nigeria’s public and private sectors have become an issue of concern to scholars and policy-makers because industrial peace or conflict impacts the social, political, and economic activities of a nation. Therefore, this study examined the impact of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strikes on students’ behavior in Nigeria using Choba as one of the host communities of the University of Port Harcourt, as a case study. The study employed a survey research design. A total of 400 questionnaires were administered and 370 were retrieved. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics-mean computation and standard deviation. Findings from the study show that ASUU strikes have a high negative impact on students’ behavior. This indicates that students bear the brunt of ASUU strikes as manifested in increased students’ stay on campus, increased drug abuse among students, increased students’ involvement in kidnapping and financial crimes among students, and reduced students’ academic performance.
 Keywords: ASUU; staff union; strike; students’ behavior; government; university.

Trajectory of brain-drain and quality of work-life amongst Nigeria’s university lecturers: academic staff union of universities (ASUU) incessant strike in retrospect

PurposeBrain-drain insurgency has become pervasive amongst professionals and the last option for everyone in the country to realise a sustainable quality of work-life (QWL). All youths now in the country have perceived migrating to the international workspace as a noble idea. This study investigates the incidence of brain-drain and QWL amongst academics in Nigerian universities.Design/methodology/approachTo sparkle a clearer understanding concerning factors preventing the QWL amongst Nigeria's lecturers, this study utilised a cross-sectional research design to survey the participants across all departments in federal institutions through an explanatory research approach. This study applied an array of adapted scales to evaluate members of academic staff track of what provoked the incidence of brain-drain amongst Nigerian lecturers and possible influence on their QWL. The study surveyed 431 members of academic staff in Nigerian universities to collect useful data and employed a structural equation model (SEM) to analyse the obtained data.FindingsThe outcome of this study highlights that there is a horrible condition of service amongst Nigerian lecturers, a poor compensation system, poor academic research funding and lack of autonomy are bane to the QWL experienced in Nigerian tertiary institutions today. This study indicates that poor staff development and inadequate university funding are part of the justification that provoked brain-drain insurgence, and allowed the government to lose their skilled and competent egg-heads in the university to other foreign nations of the world.Originality/valueThis study demonstrated that brain-drain has become part of Nigeria's national life given that all professionals are seeking better life where their skills, competence and energy would be valued. Brain-drain was not common until these days amongst academics and fewer studies were noted but this study showed a novel paradigm regarding the QWL and brain-drain trajectory.

Salary Stoppage amidst COVID-19 Lockdown and Coping Strategies by Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Nigeria

Salary Stoppage amidst COVID-19 Lockdown and Coping Strategies by Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Nigeria

Strikes of the Academic Staff Union of Universities: An Avenue to Guarantee Quality Architectural and Other Education in Nigeria

Regular strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is a problem in Nigeria. Therefore, it became very necessary to conduct a research work with the aim of overviewing the previous cases of ASUU strike, in order to generate guidelines that can guarantee quality architectural and other education in Nigeria. The research focused on desktop study as the instrument for data collection. Hence, the data were analyzed and checked with the use of contents analysis technique, so as to validate the results. The result of the analysis was accepted via normality test. Among the findings are: insufficient drawing boards in the architecture studios and failure of the government to implement its agreements with ASUU. Among the recommended guidelines are: there should be a provision for sufficient drawing boards with respected to the number of admitted architecture students in each class, in order to ensure the possibility of all the students to work at the same time in the studios during the free lectures time as an avenue by which students can learn from one another; a bill to force a particular government to honour agreements it entered with ASUU before the expiration of the time of ruling of such government must be enacted by the National Assembly in Nigeria, in order to prohibit the transfer of agreements from one administration to another; ASUU should be bound by the same bill in such a way to also prohibit ASUU from bringing the agreements it entered with the past government to any new government.

The impact of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) on the development of university education in Nigeria

The object of the research is anchored on the introduction of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the opposition by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the implication of the dispute on the development of university education in Nigeria. The main objectives of the study were to determine the major motives and examine the suitability of IPPIS for the development of university education in Nigeria. The paper employs the equity theory of motivation to explain how Nigeria's payment system affects effective service delivery in the entire university education system. The study was based on secondary sources from existing literature. The findings of the paper show IPPIS was primarily introduced by the federal government to curb corruption in the university system. The paper also revealed that IPPIS does not capture the peculiarities of university lecturers. The study concluded that IPPIS will contribute to the development of university education in Nigeria if it can accommodate the peculiarities of academic staff. The paper recommended that the Federal Government of Nigeria and Academic Staff Union of Universities engage in dialogue to harmonize the payment system for the overall interest of university education in Nigeria. And the Federal Government of Nigeria should show some level of sincerity in the testing of UTAS (University Transparency and Accountability Solution), the alternative payment platform provided by ASUU to build confidence among disputing members. This will also encourage the development of local content.

Curbing National Insecurity through Effective use of Language

This study investigated curbing of national insecurity through effective use of language. The study assessed the present state of insecurity in Nigeria, language as a panacea to the insecurity ill that plague our nation, Nigeria and the role of language in ensuring peaceful co-existence in the nation. The study adopted a descriptive research design of survey type. The sample size of 100 respondents which included lecturers and students was drawn from the population of 345 members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere chapter. The instrument for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire tagged “Language as a Panacea to Curbing Insecurity in Nigeria (LPCIN) Questionnaire”. The three research questions raised to guide the study were answered using descriptive analysis of simple frequency count, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The two (2) research hypotheses formulated for the study were tested using Chi-square (χ2) statistic of independent sample at 0.05 level of significance. Analysis of the study revealed that there was significant influence of language on the state of insecurity in Nigeria. It was also revealed that there was significant influence of appropriate use of language on the improved peaceful co-existence in Nigeria. The study concluded that the problem of national security is not that of the government alone but what every Nigerian should collaborate to ensure thorough effective and appropriate use of words of the accepted language communication. The study recommended that Nigerian government should create communication channels to effectively disseminate information, create awareness and give the people a sense of belonging and inclusion.

The Nigerian University System, Corruption and Erosion of the Public Good

This article examines the nature, causes and implications of the decline of the public good within Nigeria’s university system over the past three decades. In that period, there has been a significant shortfall in the finances of the university system from federal and state governments, creating the material basis for its inability to recruit, retain and manage quality academic and non-academic staff. Essentially, it highlights how the self-interest of academics, expressed through their powerful union, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has engaged in a struggle with government to improve the remuneration of academics rather than the quality of academic services. At the same time, corruption has sapped the system and led to significant levels of exploitation of students, in general, and the sexual harassment of female students. The public good within the university system is rooted in the constitutional provision that directs governments to provide quality and free education at all levels. But governments have failed in this mission, and families have had to pay for their children’s quality education. This outcome has created massive inequality, with only the wealthy able to ensure quality education for their children, usually abroad. This has weakened the commitment of those in authority to push for the return of quality education at the national level. The result is that the Nigerian state appears to have provoked a class struggle in which poorly educated youth and the lump n classes are marginalised and excluded from the ladder of social mobility.

Discursive Constructions of Power in Selected Nigerian Media Reports of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Strikes

Power, dominance, and control are not exclusive and are always constructed, exercised, and sustained through overt acts/mechanisms of coercion. The subtle yet manipulative subtexts of language in discourse are, at times, more effective vehicles (modes) utilized by more powerful groups to build and ratify institutional dominance over less powerful ones. Based on the foregoing, this study examines discursive constructions of power in ASUU strike discourses between the FGN and ASUU, as reported in major Nigerian newspapers – The Punch, Vanguard, and The Nation – as well as on other credible media platforms. The research sought to unearth, among other things, the various discursive structures deployed in discourses by the parties for the ventilation of dominance and demonstration of resistance, as well as the group ideologies that underlie such language choices. The qualitative research approach and content analysis, based on a purposive sampling of discourse texts in the newspapers and other media sources, were adopted for the study. Twenty-two discourse texts from 2001-2009, 2013, and 2020 ASUU strikes were analyzed based on the analytical tools found within Van Dijk's (2001) Socio-cognitive model of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). Van Dijk's Socio-cognitive frame, over and above other models of CDA, contains a checklist of actual discursive cum ideological instruments of dominance and resistance relevant to this study. Our analysis revealed, among other things, that the FGN consistently focused on and deployed ideological strategies which tended toward legitimizing its control over ASUU, winning positive public perception, sympathy, and support for itself and away from the Union (a less powerful group). This was achieved through various forms of discursive propaganda and appeals to patriotism, ventilated through ideological instruments such as number games, vagueness, apparent empathy, and blame transfer, as well as through the FGN's strategically-more-pronounced media visibility. ASUU, on the other hand, instinctively and perpetually struggled, through the use of appropriate discursive mechanisms too, to detach from itself the government-ascribed negative public image. These ideological wrangling, incidentally, delayed and even stalled the resolution of the FGN/ASUU conflicts in each case. The study thus recommends, among other things, focusing on language that is truthful in public discourse instead of advancing a specific group's ideology over the public interest.

Collateral Effects of Strike Actions by Academic Staff on Undergraduates in Public Universities in South West Nigeria

The collateral effects of strike actions by academic staff in public universities in South West Nigeria were investigated through descriptive research design. An instrument tagged Perception of Undergraduates on the Influence of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Strike Actions Questionnaire (PUIASAQ) was used for data collection. A study sample of 490 undergraduates was selected through purposive and simple random sampling techniques from seven universities in South West geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Four research questions were raised with two hypotheses generated. The outcome of the study revealed both negative and positive impacts of ASUU strike on the undergraduates while gender of undergraduates and institutional ownership had no significant influence on undergraduates’ perception. It was recommended that causes of strike actions must be nipped in bud with granting of full autonomy to these universities while tax holidays should be given to private investors to finance universities.

Socio-economic Impact of Academic Staff Union of Universities' Incessant Strikes on Host Communities: Focus on Anyigba Community of Kogi State, Nigeria

Socio-economic Impact of Academic Staff Union of Universities' Incessant Strikes on Host Communities: Focus on Anyigba Community of Kogi State, Nigeria

HOME ECONOMICS SKILL ACQUISITION FOR SUSTAINABLE RETIREMENT.

The study assessed the level of workers’ skill acquisition in readiness for retirement among the Academic staff of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The sample size of 160 workers was drawn from the population of 345 members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere chapter. The instrument for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire tagged “BASARQ BOUESTI ASSU Skill Acquisition for Retirement Questionnaire. Two research questions raised to guide the study were answered using descriptive analysis of simple frequency count, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Two (2) research hypotheses formulated for the study was tested at 0.05 level of significance using Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistic. Findingsrevealed that there was significant influence of awareness and orientation about Home Economics skill acquisition on the retirement plan of workers. It was also revealed that there was no significant influence of high-level awareness of Home Economics skill acquisition on the retirement plan of workers. The study concluded that employee’s previous education, training, and experience on entrepreneurship can serve as means of preparing employees for entrepreneurship at retirement. The study recommended that workers should not depend on government pension scheme alone for retirement plan rather they should acquire laudable skills especially in-HomeEconomics as a way to sustain themselves when government pension fails. Also, it was recommended that Home Economics programmes and extension programmes such as workshops, seminars, symposium, and conferences should be organized in establishments to create awareness of the various skills in Home economics.

Educational and political leadership challenges: Exploring implications on security in Nigeria

Fraught with insecurity in recent years, lack of political and educational leaders’ adoption of sound approach to governance in the state is revealed. This manifest in serious humanitarian crises: a threat to national security and the corporate existence of the country. It is against this background that the paper within the framework of systems theory examined the relationship between leadership and security challenges in Nigeria and how it has turned Nigeria into a fragile system. The universal content analysis and qualitative research design were adopted for the study, and secondary sources of data explored to collect facts. The study unveils and traces insecurity in Nigeria to bad political and educational leadership. There is no sound execution of mutual roles by the executive, legislative and judicial arms of the government. Checks and balances as well oversight functions, including rule of law are flouted. The universities have not achieved their goal of moral and mental transformation of the graduates to desist from assisting bad political leaders as thugs. Incessant Academic Staff Union of Universities' strike action caused by bad leadership also undermines sound education. The populace and leaders alike lack knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 target 4.7 on promotion of non-violence and peace, world citizenship, and cultural differences acceptance, which explains sound governance approach. Based on this, the study recommended among others, revitalisation of roles of the three arms of government, reformation of educational governance, and reorientation of both leaders and the led on sound governance and SDGs prescriptions.