ASUU, the god of thunder, has struck again, and this time it’s with a one-month “warning strike”. First of all, the fact that the warning strike is one month is crazy, because if this one is a warning, how long will the real strike now be? It’s like a policeman shooting warning shots at your kneecaps.
Anyways, the real victims here are the students whose lives are being played with, so we decided to ask them what they usually do each time ASUU strikes.
Here’s what they had to say.
1. Chiamaka — 400L, University of Lagos
Most of the time, it’s already hard for me to shuttle school and work, so strikes are a good time to focus on work. I’ve been working as a full-time illustrator since my second year, so whenever there’s a strike, I see it as an opportunity to rest, focus on doing better work, and find a few more freelance jobs.
Sometimes, it’s scary that I’ve been in school for five years instead of four, but I quickly remember that I’m already working and making decent money, so there really isn’t anything that being in school is changing. I sha can’t wait to finish.
2. Bayo — 300L, University of Lagos
During the pandemic and lockdown strike, I stayed at home for the entire year, slept, ate and watched movies. That’s all. I was too scared to go out to explore other options because of the virus. This time, I’m going to spend time online learning UX design. I hear there’s good money in remote tech work, so let me try to get some of that bread.
When I finished secondary school in 2017, I was meant to go to the UK for university, but some visa issues made me miss the opportunity. This time, if the strike goes on for more than a month, I’m going to start processing abroad admission again.
3. Ford — 400L, University of Uyo
I stopped counting the number of strikes I’ve experienced since I got to university, but there have been at least four. In my second year in 2018, my girlfriend and I started selling products for a multi-level marketing company. By 2020, we had broken up and when ASUU struck again, I found freelance jobs testing apps for Facebook and Google, and also some photography.
For this strike, I’m looking to start a palm oil refining and selling business. All I need now is a loan to start and I’m good to go.
4. Cindy — 400L, Olabisi Onabanjo University
I should be done with school by June, but with ASUU, it’s looking like I’ll be here till next year. I’ve experienced about three strikes since I started university. When they happen, I look for opportunities to do short term businesses like dropshipping. When business is not lucrative, I just wait for the strike to pass. That’s when my hoe phase
5. Miriam, Graduated from Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
The first strike I experienced lasted six months. I went to learn hairdressing in a salon. It was fun. I can’t remember how long the second strike lasted, but I went on a tour of Eastern Nigeria. After a while, my school started acting weird too, striking even when ASUU wasn’t striking. Whenever that happened, I either just slept at home or got a job.
6. Roland — 300L, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture
When there’s a strike, what else is there to do than to hoe around? I honestly just want to graduate at this point. I’ve been in school since 2018, and I’m only in my third year.
7. Patience — 400L, University of Benin
I have a full-time job so when ASUU is on strike, I can focus more on that. Juggling the two things can be extremely stressful and I like breaks whenever they come. However, I’m about to graduate, so I’d just like to graduate once and for all.
Anyway, during strikes, since I have more free time on my hands, I get a chance to go out and link with all the people I’d been planning on linking with.
*Names have been changed for anonymity.
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