Students groan as ABU Zaria postpones resumption date indefinitely
Story from Maimunat MOHAMMED, Zaria
Students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria have expressed their grievances as management announced the postponement of school resumption indefinitely.
The bulletin that announced the postponement of resumption was unclear about the reasons for the action.
However, a bulletin previously published on the 20th of May revealed that the institution has an unresolved electricity payment dispute, it revealed that the electricity supply to ABU Zaria was disconnected on May 15th due to an outstanding bill.
Despite the university having paid 40 million naira, a substantial portion of the outstanding amount, the electricity provider demanded a staggering 100 million naira. The university, constrained by limited resources, found it difficult to meet the demand, as its annual federal government overhead allocation amounts to only 150 million naira.
A recent bulletin on the 26th states the postponement of resumption until further notice, as the ABU Zaria Senate actively works towards resolving the underlying issues.
Our correspondent learnt that the extended closure of the university has left students and their families in a state of uncertainty.
This is due to the significant amount of time already lost due to the previous year’s prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). With the absence of regular academic activities, students are becoming increasingly apprehensive about the impact on their educational journey and the potential delay in their graduation date.
The prolonged closure of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria has ignited a wave of discontent among students who are frustrated with the insufficient funding allocated to the institution.
Some of the students who spoke anonymously expressed their grievances, highlighting the significance of ABU as one of the largest universities in Africa, and called on the federal government to address the dire situation.
With a student population exceeding 45,000 and a faculty comprising 2,900 academic staff members across 16 faculties, 99 departments, and 16 institutes, ABU Zaria occupies an expansive 7,000-hectare campus. However, students question the adequacy of the annual federal government overhead allocation of just 150 million naira to sustain the operations of such a prestigious institution.
In anonymous statements, students voiced their disbelief and frustration. “How on earth is 150 million naira enough for a whole year? That’s ridiculous. The federal government should look into this,” exclaimed one student.
They emphasised the stark contrast between the quality and affordability of education that the current generation of government officials enjoyed compared to the current funding challenges facing students. T
The students also questioned why their rights to education were being jeopardized and the privileges they once enjoyed were being taken away.
Another student highlighted the responsibility of a serious-minded government to provide the best form of education to its citizens.
Quoting a famous saying about the importance of educating the youth, “The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.” They warned of the potential consequences if access to quality education is hindered, urging the government to prioritise educational investment.
As ABU Zaria remains closed and students continue to await resolution, the demands for increased funding for higher education are amplified. The federal government is urged to reevaluate the budget allocation for universities and prioritise the future of the nation by investing in the education of its citizens.
The closure of ABU Zaria serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by universities and the need for sustainable funding models. The concerns raised by the students highlight the significance of affordable education and the long-term benefits it brings to society.
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