THE IMPACT OF ASUU STRIKE ACTIONS ON THE EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN NIGERIA

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been instrumental in advancing university education in Nigeria through its efforts to advocate for increased funding, improved working conditions, and higher academic standards. Nonetheless, the regular strike actions undertaken by the union throughout the years have sparked heated discussions about their effects on the governance and progress of higher education institutions in the nation. This research investigates the influence of ASUU strike actions on the efficient management of higher learning institutions in Nigeria. The study adopts the historical background of ASUU strikes, the underlying causes, and the consequences of these strikes on institutional administration, academic programs, students, and national development. The research employs a descriptive analytical approach relying on existing literature, reports, and scholarly publications related to industrial actions in Nigerian universities. According to the paper, it was discovered that although ASUU strikes are often motivated by legitimate demands such as improved funding, university autonomy, and staff welfare, their recurrent occurrence has significantly disrupted academic calendars, weakened institutional management systems, and affected the quality of education in Nigerian universities. Frequent strikes have resulted in extended academic programs, delayed graduation of students, reduced research productivity, and loss of confidence in public universities. Many students now spend five to six years completing programs designed to last four years due to repeated disruptions of academic activities. The research recommends improved dialogue between the government and academic unions, adequate funding of education, and the development of sustainable conflict-resolution mechanisms to ensure stability in the Nigerian university system.