Industrial actions in Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions could have profound and multifaceted effects on the educational system, students, faculty and the overall socio-economic landscape. These disruptions often stem from disputes over issues such as inadequate funding, poor working conditions and disagreements on policy implementation. The implications are far-reaching as they affect the various aspects of the educational sector.
 
One of the primary consequences of strikes by academic and non-academic staff is the disruption of academic calendars, as they lead to the postponement or cancellation of classes, examinations and other academic activities. This instability affects students’ academic progress as it results in extended graduation timelines and delays in the entry of qualified graduates into the workforce. The educational quality may also be affected by interruptions of the smooth flow of curriculum delivery and impede the completion of syllabi.
 
Industrial actions equally contribute to the deterioration of the relationship between students and faculty. With frequent disruption of academic activities, students are frustrated and disillusioned due to the uncertainty surrounding their education while trust and respect for educators are eroded, leading to a decline in the overall learning experience.
 
This strained relationship no doubt, negatively impacts the development of critical thinking skills, which are essential for producing well-rounded and competent graduates.
  
Financial implications are another significant aspect. Students and their families invest considerable resources in education, including tuition fees, accommodation and other related expenses. When strikes occur, the value of this investment diminishes as educational services are disrupted.
  
Socially, the impact is felt across communities and the nation as a whole. The education sector plays a pivotal role in national development, and disruptions caused by industrial actions impede progress. The lack of skilled graduates entering the workforce hampers economic growth, innovation, and the development of a knowledgeable citizenry capable of addressing societal challenges.
 
In all of this, industry experts believed that addressing the root causes of disputes remained crucial to fostering a stable and productive educational environment, and that it is only through sustained efforts to resolve the issues that Nigerian tertiary institutions can fulfill their role in shaping the future of the nation and contributing to global knowledge and innovation.
  
Since assumption of office on May 29, two years ago, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has taken significant strides towards ensuring industrial harmony in public tertiary institutions in line with its Renewed Hope Agenda and at the heart of this commitment is the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sunny Echono.
  
In his determination to reposition public tertiary institutions and ensure industrial harmony in the Ivory Towers, Echono has consistently met with members and leadership of various unions of TETFund beneficiary institutions.
  
For the Fund, such interface serves as a proactive engagement against the backdrop of the prevailing challenges in public schools with a view to sustaining the steady growth and development of the tertiary education sub-sector.
  
Echono was of the firm belief that a key success factor remains a consistent engagement and brainstorming on how best to improve the sub-sector.
   
Aside providing enabling environment for participants to understand some of the challenges and difficulties in the delivery of quality education in the nation’s institutions, the regular meetings equally serve as a platform to find lasting solutions to incidences of industrial disputes in the tertiary education.
  
Furthermore, it afforded the opportunity to build and solidify cooperation and collaboration between the Fund, its beneficiary institutions and the unions on matters that affect the growth and development of tertiary education in the country. It is a common knowledge that the primary mandate of the Fund is to rehabilitate, restore and consolidate tertiary education in the country using funding alongside project management, and Arc. Echono has been committed to this goal since assumption of office.
 
Addressing participants in one of the fora, Echono said: “Education occupies an important place in the scheme of things not only in Nigeria but globally. Specifically, nations have relied on the tertiary education sub-sector for the development of the critical manpower needed in all sectors, for development and industrialization.
  
“The world is currently faced with several consequential challenges that include among others climate change and population explosion. It is universally accepted that tackling these challenges will remain elusive without significant investments in education.
 
“The primary responsibilities of our tertiary institution is the development of human capital through the advancement of knowledge, skills and other competencies. Whereas the trend globally is tilting towards digital and innovative knowledge to tackle global challenges in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as a nation, we are still far from attaining this goal.”
    
He added: “The global community as reflected in the United Nations Development Goals 2030 has called for unified efforts for the development and improvement in tertiary education. It is for similar purpose that the tertiary Education Trust Fund was established by the federal government of Nigeria.
  
“There is absolutely no doubt that the unions play a significant role not only in the development of our tertiary institutions but of the entire education sector and the country through their various activities and contributions.
 
“The unions, viewed in positive light remained empowerment groups and there would have been little or no effectiveness in the nation’s educational system without these unions – ASUU, ASUP, COEASU and the non-teaching unions such as NASU, SSANU and NAAT, among others.