The Federal Government's Tactics of Deception: How ASUU is Lured Back with Token Payments

The Nigerian Government has consistently employed tactics of deception to quell ASUU's struggles for improved education funding and welfare. Whenever the Union threatens strike action or is already on strike, the Government offers a token payment, camouflaged as "Earned Academic Allowances" (EAA) or other minor concessions, to fragment the Union and lure members back to work. This strategy aims to weaken ASUU's bargaining power, undermine the strike's momentum, and maintain the status quo of underfunding and neglect in the education sector.

 Historical context

The dispute between ASUU and the Federal Government can be traced back to 1992, when the Union embarked on her first nationwide strike to protest the Government's failure to implement the 1981 agreement to fund education. Since then, ASUU has gone on strike several times, with each strike ending in a negotiated agreement or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). However, the Government has consistently failed to implement these agreements, leading to a cycle of strike-action-negotiation-reneging.

Some notable instances include:

- 1992: ASUU's first nationwide strike led to the signing of the 1992 agreement, which the Government failed to implement.

- 2001: ASUU went on strike again, resulting in the 2001 agreement, which the Government also failed to honor.

- 2007: ASUU embarked on a 3-month strike, culminating in the 2007 agreement, which the Government sparingly implemented.

- 2012: ASUU went on strike for 5 months, resulting in the 2012 MOU, which the Government failed to implement.

- 2018: ASUU embarked on a 3-month strike, culminating in the 2018 MOU, which the Government partially implemented.

This pattern of reaching and signing an agreement and reneging on it has led to widespread disillusionment among ASUU members and a loss of trust in the Government's commitment to funding education. The Government's recent tactics of token payments is the latest iteration of this cycle, aimed at pacifying ASUU without addressing the underlying issues.

 The tactics of token payments

The Federal Government's tactics of token payments is a deliberate strategy to deceive and pacify ASUU, while avoiding meaningful concessions. This tactics involve offering minimal payments or concessions that barely scratch the surface of ASUU's demands, while claiming to have fulfilled its obligations.

Examples of token payments include:

- Earned Academic Allowances (EAA): The Government has consistently used EAA as a token payment to placate ASUU, despite knowing that it is a fraction of the total amount owed to members.

- Minor salary increments: The Government has offered minimal salary increases that fail to address the issue of underfunding and poor remuneration in the education sector.

- Partial implementation of agreements: The Government has selectively implemented aspects of agreements that benefit it the most, while ignoring the core demands of ASUU.

These token payments serve several purposes:

- They create a false sense of progress, making it seem like the government is committed to resolving the dispute.

- They divide and conquer ASUU members, as some may be tempted to accept the token payments and return to work.

- They undermine the strike's momentum, as the Government claims to be making concessions while actually doing very little with collosal damage to the striking lecturers and students.

By employing the tactics of token payments, the Federal Government aims to weaken ASUU's resolve, maintain the status quo of underfunding and neglect in the education sector, and avoid meaningful reforms that would address the root causes of the dispute.

 Effects of token payments

The effects of the Federal Government's token payments on ASUU and the education sector are far-reaching and devastating:

- Demobilization of ASUU members: Token payments lead to a decline in morale and a sense of betrayal among ASUU members, causing some to lose faith in the Union's struggle and return to work.

- Undermining of the strike's momentum: Token payments create a false sense of progress, causing public support and sympathy for the strike to wane.

- Perpetuation of the status quo: By accepting token payments, ASUU inadvertently perpetuates the Government's neglect and underfunding of the education sector.

- Erosion of trust: The Government's tactics of token payments erodes trust between ASUU and the Government, making future negotiations more challenging.

- Normalization of underfunding: Token payments normalize the underfunding of education, creating a culture of acceptance and resignation among educators and students.

- Negative impact on education quality: The perpetuation of underfunding and neglect in the education sector has long-term consequences on the quality of education, leading to a decline in academic standards and Nigeria's global competitiveness.

By understanding the effects of token payments, it becomes clear that ASUU must remain vigilant and united in its demands for meaningful reforms and improved funding for the education sector.

In conclusion, the Federal Government's tactics of token payments is a deliberate attempt to deceive and undermine ASUU's struggle for quality education and improved working conditions. By offering minimal concessions and partial implementation of agreements, the Government aims to pacify ASUU, demobilize her members, and maintain the status quo of underfunding and neglect in the education sector.

ASUU must remain vigilant and united in her demands for meaningful reforms and improved funding for the education sector. The Union must not be swayed by token payments and partial concessions, but instead, must continue to push for a comprehensive resolution that addresses the core issues driving the strike.

Ultimately, the fate of Nigeria's education sector and the future of her youths hang on a balance. It is imperative that ASUU, the Federal Government, and all stakeholders work together to prioritize education and ensure that Nigeria's educational institutions receive the funding and support they need to thrive.

Only through collective action and a commitment to genuine reforms can we build a brighter future for Nigeria's students, educators, and society as a whole.

©️ Innocent Nnubia, PhD,

ASUU-NAU/nnubiae@yahoo.com