Dry Taps, Silent Campuses: The Hidden Suffering of Kashere Students Amid Non-Academic Staff Strike -By Muhammad Dan Musa

There is a quiet crisis unfolding in Nigeria’s universities, one that rarely makes headlines or official briefings. While the ongoing strike by non-academic staff has disrupted administrative functions across campuses, its most severe consequences are being felt in student hostels. At the Federal University of Kashere (FUK), the strike is no longer just an industrial dispute; it has evolved into a daily struggle for survival, as students grapple with the absence of basic amenities, particularly water.

The strike, declared by the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), began following the Federal Government’s failure to conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement. Central to the dispute are unresolved issues such as wage adjustments, unpaid allowances, and broader welfare concerns. The unions have consistently argued that the government’s approach reflects a lack of urgency and commitment, leaving them with no option but to withdraw their services indefinitely.

Unlike academic strikes, which primarily disrupt lectures and examinations, the withdrawal of non-academic staff paralyses the operational backbone of universities. These workers are responsible for essential services such as water supply, sanitation, facility maintenance, and hostel management. When they are absent, the university system does not merely slow down, it begins to break down.

At the Federal University of Kashere, this breakdown is most visible in the hostels. The absence of staff has led to a severe disruption of water supply, leaving students without reliable access to one of the most basic necessities of life. What should be a conducive living and learning environment has deteriorated into a space defined by hardship and uncertainty.

In response to the crisis, the university management has made limited interventions by providing water tanks in some hostels. However, the distribution system remains inadequate. In many cases, students are allowed to fetch only a single bucket of water at a time. While this effort may be seen as a temporary relief measure, it falls far short of meeting the daily needs of students. One bucket of water is insufficient for bathing, cleaning, and sanitation, especially in a shared hostel environment.

As a result, students continue to face serious challenges. Many still trek long distances in search of additional water. Personal hygiene has become difficult to maintain, and the condition of toilets has worsened significantly. These realities raise serious concerns about health, dignity, and the overall well-being of students.

Beyond the physical hardship, the psychological burden is equally significant. Students are forced to prioritise basic survival over their academic responsibilities. The stress associated with water scarcity, combined with poor living conditions, creates an environment that is not conducive to learning. Even where academic activities are ongoing, meaningful engagement becomes difficult under such circumstances.

The financial implications further deepen the crisis. For students from low-income backgrounds, the cost of purchasing water regularly adds an unexpected burden. In an already challenging economic environment, this additional expense places many students under severe strain.

What makes the situation particularly concerning is the absence of a comprehensive contingency plan. Students, who are at the centre of the university system, appear to be the least protected during such disruptions.

While the grievances of non-academic staff are legitimate and require urgent attention, the ongoing situation underscores the need to prioritise student welfare in all decision-making processes. Strikes should not translate into conditions that compromise the health and dignity of students.

Addressing this issue requires immediate and coordinated action. The Federal Government must expedite negotiations with the unions and ensure the implementation of agreed terms. At the same time, university management must go beyond temporary measures and develop effective systems to guarantee continuous access to essential services, particularly water and sanitation, even during industrial actions.

The experience at the Federal University of Kashere serves as a stark reminder that institutional conflicts have real human consequences. Behind every delayed agreement are students struggling to cope with conditions that undermine both their well-being and their education. Until these realities are fully acknowledged and addressed, the discourse on university strikes in Nigeria will remain incomplete.

Ultimately, the issue goes beyond labour disputes, it speaks to the kind of educational environment Nigeria is willing to sustain. One that protects its students, even in times of crisis, or one that leaves them to endure the consequences alone.