Managing Industrial Disputes in the Nigerian University System: A Focus on Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) and University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)

Abstract

This study captioned: Managing Industrial Disputes in the Nigerian University system - a focus on Enugu state University of Science and Technology (ESUT), and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is aimed at finding the causes, effects and solutions to the ever-increasing crisis and industrial disputes that have bedeviled the university system over the years. The Nigerian university system, which was designed and packaged to be a fulcrum for national Development has witnessed so much industrial unrest which has given rise to disruption of academic calendars, production of substandard graduates, intellectual ineffectiveness, examination fraud, loss of man-hours, loss of income, erosion of university autonomy, dismissal of vocal unionists who dared to challenge the university management, brain drain, increase of cultism and cultist activities and in fact, general deterioration of the educational industry. To this end, the Researcher adopted both the historical and surveys research methods. The data used in making analysis was collected mainly through questionnaires, interviews and review of related literature. Respondents were also selected by means of simple random sampling which gives every member of the universe equal chances of being selected. Analysis was carried out using tables, simple percentages and Z-test for Proportions. A total number of one hundred and six (106) respondents formed the population out of which ninety (90) respondents were selected as the sample, making use of Taro Yamane sample size formular. Out of the ninety (90) questionnaires that were printed and distributed, only eighty two (82) were properly filled and returned and final analysis was based on this figure. Based on the analysis made, the Researcher discovered among other things that: (i) Good condition of service will stop brain drain and encourage exchange programmes among university lecturers globally, (ii) That the national strike embarked upon by the Academic staff union of universities (ASUU) in the year 2001 was aimed at compelling the federal government to devote 26% of its annual budget to education in accordance with the UNESCO provisions, (iii) That trade unions confront management, not only because of issues affecting their members but also to see that the general condition of learning and teaching in the Nigerian university system is improved and (iv) That union activities make both management and university system to be more vibrant and sensitive to the aspirations of the various stakeholders. On the basis of these findings, the Researcher therefore recommended among others: (i) That a flexible organizational structure should be instituted to improve on the relationship between management and staff, (ii) That both Federal and State governments should endeavour to increase their budgetary allocations to universities to reflect 26% of their total budget as recommended by UNESCO, (iii) That systems approach should be adopted in the management of industrial disputes within the university system so that workers will start to see themselves as vital parts of the university, thereby working harder to sustain it and, That the general condition of workers, students and the major participants of the University community should be improved to make learning and teaching more effective and thus forestall industrial disputes and crisis.