Former students of University of Benin, who visited the school for their certificates and statements of results, were stranded yesterday, following nationwide warning strike by two non-academic unions in Nigerian universities.
The unions are Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), whose strike has entered the second day.
NASUU and SSANU commenced a seven-day warning strike yesterday to demand payment of four-month outstanding salaries.
According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), offices where non-academic activities, such as students’ registration, processing of certificates and others are carried out are under lock and key.
Officials of the two unions were seen enforcing compliance in offices where some members of the unions resumed work.
One of the ex-students, Gloria Johnson, who travelled to Benin from Enugu for her statement of result, expressed her frustration as a result of the action.
“I feel terrible, I feel bad because I travelled a long distance to come to get my Statement of Result today. We were told to come today, but getting here, everywhere is locked and I am told NASU is on strike.
“It spoilt all my plans and engagement because I was planning to go home tomorrow if I collect it today and continue with my business.”
Sharing a similar experience, Rebecca Isibor, urged the Federal Government to accede to the demands of the striking university staff.
She said though she resides in Benin, she had to shelve many things to visit the school for her statement of result.
“I need it for my NYSC registration. The only grace I have is that the registration continues beyond next week.
“Let’s imagine it is closing soon, that is the way I will miss out. Let the government resolve the issues for the unions to call off the strike,” she said.
Another former student, Joseph Osunde, who was in the school for the same purpose, said incessant strikes by unions in the nation’s institutions of higher learning were always problematic.
According to him, hardly will a student graduate from public universities in Nigeria without experiencing industrial action.
He called on the government to find a permanent solution to the impasse in the system without necessarily allowing the unions to go on strike.
