STUDENTS UNIONISM AND THE DIFFERENCE NUNS INTEND TO MAKE

Shiek Abdulaziz ibn baaz

Nigerian students have always expressed genuine concern about the past, present
and future of Nigeria on a variety of issues. Nigerian students have also expressed
frustrations on the past and present Nigerian situations, particularly the state craft of the
Nigerian leaders in handling the state of the nation, especially the management of theeconomy, election procedure and the entire democratization processes.

The vibrancy and dynamism of the Nigeria students have considerably waned dueto a number of factors. The repressive nature of the military sequel to constantintimidation and blackmail of the students by the junta has had devastating impacts on
students’ activism. Again, students’ activities have consistently been infiltrated by
government secret agents; coupled with serious corrupt inducements offered to somestudents and some leaders.In essence, corruption within the rank and file of the student folk and leadershiphas affected the steady moving train of students’ struggles to address and maintain acommon stand o issues in Nigerian government and politics. It is now not uncommon for
students and their leadership to align themselves with government or individuals or
sections or agents etc in order to secure some financial platforms and settlements. The
moral decay on university campuses, characterized wit cultism, examination malpractice
etc, has continued to impinge on students’ responsibilities to themselves and the nation.Education-Students nexus: the inseparable linkThe Nigerian educational system produces and shapes the character or behaviourof Nigerian students. Since the educational system is a dependent variable on the
structure, nature and orientation of the economic system fuelled by the attitude andpeculiar character of the Nigerian society, it is imperative and logical to examine
Nigerian students within these perspectives.

Majority of our Students in the institutions of higher learning are Young men andWomen and constitute a rather privileged group in the Society. These students largely
belong to the age group of 17 to 25, usually single. They are, in most instances,
dependent. However, there is a sharp contrast between this younger group and olderstudents who belong to the age group of 25 years and above, in their attitudes and
behaviors. The older or mature students are mostly married with children and other
dependents.
Students’ days are the most significant periods of their lives. Particularlyimportant is the period from the Primary to Secondary education. But the most importantof all is the period of the tertiary education. This is because it is at this stage one leaves
childhood and more or less delinquent behaviors and becomes a youth. This is indeed aperiod when students are very receptive. During this period, students undergo both
physical and psychological changes. Hence, they are more often than not avid to read,learn and understand what the new environment dictates to them.Students at this stage always try to become adventurists and bold with a view to
asserting themselves and creating independent opinion. They also develop and maintain
a high sense of responsibility and justice and constantly strive to search for truth with the
objective to pointing out and divorcing the right from the wrong. Consequently, the
impact of student Socialization on the campuses differs from where he/she comes from
and depends on the level and degree of students’ sensitivity, response to stimulus,
assumptions and perceptions.
Education and students are inextricably tied together. We can not therefore talk
of education in isolation without reference to students. The role which education plays in
the overall development of the Society should form part and parcel of students’ role.

This is so because education is a process of charging the entire human nature designed topromote the efficiency of the instruments and process of production of goods and
services as well as the equitable distribution of such essential materials. Thus, educationenergizes, erects or stimulates students’ consciousness on an ever increasing scale andscope.

Historically, Nigeria’s educational system is a by-product of colonialism and
imperialism and was primarily introduced to basically benefit a particular class of the

ruling or governing and dominating stratum of the Society. The sole and salient objective
of this educational system is to enable this class perpetually rule/govern and dominate theless privileged and dominated majority for the sustenance of the status quo.

 It istherefore, unfortunate to observe that the type of education imparted to our students has
not strategically prepared and oriented them to struggle against the ills of the Society weare daily grumbling with.Nigerian educational system is largely concerned with the training of youth;
which after the study will struggle to secure work and invariably make money. The
constant struggle to insatiably accumulate wealth and property is sequel to and a manifestform of the nature of insecurity created in students’ minds and the constant fear of what
tomorrow would be. Many students when asked about their future ambitions, the basicand common answer one could get is to make money, to become rich and enjoy easy life.It should be noted that when the students graduate and grow up, make all the monies andoccupy political positions, they become angry and intolerant to students demands and
protests.

This period of students’ education is very crucial in molding the character of the
students, positively or negatively, based on the nature and structure of the socio- economic and political system in the society. Students are the mirror of the society and
therefore reflective of the on going trends thereof. Hence, when students are responsibleor irresponsible, they invariably represent the attitudes, behaviors and tendencies of the
larger society. Students cannot be divorced from or live in isolation of the society at
large.If students are properly educated they will grow up and become responsible
citizens when they occupy the political fora. But when students are off the track they
invariably degenerate. The constant interactions and the inseparable unity or link between
education and students cannot be disputed in any development designs. It is therefore
worthwhile to mention that if, and only if, students must be brought up to be solid
citizens, it must be during their crucial development stage or period. The challenge of students’ struggle for democratic rule
The basic features that characterize students activism in Nigeria are protests,
demonstrations etc against the governments which in some cases end up in the violent

destruction of property and killing of students. Hence, since the attainment of political
independence in Nigeria, there have been occurrences of students’ unrests.
Hence, for proper and responsible students’ struggles for democratic rule in
Nigeria, a responsible education, a responsible leadership and a responsible society must
exist where every body respects and tolerates other people’s feelings, ideas and beliefs.
Within the institutions, the students should be involved to operate or participate within
the educational administration, which they are part and parcel rather than isolate them.
Students should regularly and untiringly work with both their colleagues and
teachers through talks, assignments given to student leaders who should inform or
educate other students (in students’ parliaments, congresses etc), collective meetings andstudies.

 Furthermore, the students should be encouraged by both the institutions and state
to omit freely in a variety of social, economic and political activities of the nation so as to inspire them to have a clear vision of the solutions to national problems when
subsequently they occupy the political power.
There should also be a bridge in the communication gap between the students and authorities as an alternative to open protests and confrontations. In this regard both the
students and authorities should give and take proper guidance for a proper understanding
of each other. It is this communication gap that has been causing a lot of turbulent
student activism.

 Students under current order could be active, assertive and useful if allof them opt to be actively involved in students’ unionism under a virile leadership. This
is because without an organized and effective unionism involving every member,
students will continue to remain a scattered stalk without direction.

What a responsible student unionism in educational institutions should do, notwithstanding the dictates and temptations of the current educational system and
irrespective of the structure of the economic system and attitudes of the leadership, is to
completely make a distinct and clean break from the present with a view to enhancing a
brighter and meaningful future not only for themselves but the larger society.
In the first place, students should not be deceived by precarious and selfish
attempts by sectional or any other motives of a few individuals or groups who usually
turn them away from the noble role or cause they are set to perform. In this regard, the
students should pay more attention and not neglect the primary purpose, which bring

them together. They should continuously strive to learn and not to waste or endanger
their time and lives. Hence, students should establish the habit of study amongst
themselves and with their teachers and then hold fast to the study-first principles.
The student union leadership should ensure that they make adequate arrangements
for the provision of the necessary requirements of the students especially facilities for
physical well-being like food, water, regular physical exercises as well as personal and
environmental hygiene etc. In this respect however, they should be constructive, mature,objective, sensible and as a whole responsible in their demands. Hence, students should promote the efficient and constructive development of the entire student folk. This should be with a view to inducing and encouraging positive emotions as well as
discouraging and avoiding occasions for the manifestations of negative results.
Student should discuss collectively all the serious problems confronting them and
the nation with a view to finding out solutions or measures to be taken.

It should also
conduct organizational work; implement it through the mobilization of students.

Elections of Student Union Leaders should be on those who have a firm grasp of the
situation with proven or outstanding intellectual ability to understand, organize, respect
the opinions of others and make students quickly function properly as well as take a
proper account of the union funds. Students generally should accept any shortcoming on
their own part with a view to improving themselves.
Student Union Leadership should imbibe in the students mind on how to take a
good care of the property of the institution, state and society.

It should be pointed out that these properties are produced out of the conscious struggle and devoted labour. If
students engage in destructive activities, they will invariably transform and maintain, in
the later part of their lives, that culture of destruction of the valuable property of the state put under their care. These are usually manifested in forms of Mismanagement of the economy, causing mischief in the political forum and the common trends of the
squandering of the riches; they are not directly involved in creating and producing the wealth of the nation.

The role of students in universities or institutions of higher learning should
include other activities or contributions, outside the campuses, which have positive
tendencies of enlarging its scope and reputations.

These activities or contributions can include, among others, arranging or organizing seminars on any issue affecting the
nation. Other activities can include the strive to organize, solely or in conjunction with
other enthusiastic bodies, some competitions in debating, Literary Composition, drama,
art exhibition, quiz, sports, athletics, story telling, film shows etc among the Secondary
and Primary School Students/Pupils within the areas of jurisdiction. These should
basically be with a view to providing Public Service and enlightening this particular
group of our youth. These services should be carried out with a maximum degree of
enthusiasm and commitment.
Students, education and the expansion of democratic development
It is still aluta continua for the democratic rule in Nigeria. The role of the
students is very crucial in this horrendous struggle. The Nigerian students constitute
corner stone in this struggle for democracy, which they have been mounting a long time
ago. It may be recalled that the anti- colonial struggles mounted by the Nigerian students
under the umbrella of the West African Students Union (WASU), through the Pan- Africanist movements, for the decolonization and democratization of the West African
colonies were very significant in students’ struggle for democratic rule throughout the
entire West African sub- region.
Hence, the National union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) no doubt emerged with
the same spirits, zeal and enthusiasm like WASU with such Pan Africanist stance. Part
of the objectives of all students’ organizations in Nigeria had been for the total
emancipation of colonial role, attainment of genuine independence and democratic rule
all anchored in the spirit nationalism. For example, the Nigerian students struggled
through the rebellions against the Anglo- Nigerian pact. The students viewed the pact as
a design by the imperial British government to continue its subjugation and domination
of Nigeria in a neo- colonial fashion.
From 1960 to 1970,s when universities in Nigeria had increased more and more
students were recorded and thus enhanced the sharpening of the students’ consciousness
and struggles for better Nigeria. In the 1980’s, Nigerian students continued to flow on all
aspects of the Nigerian economy and politics in various sectional perspectives. Students
thus continued to be articulate or vocal in their struggles in democratization process.

As Vanguard and agents of change, students were accorded the unprecedented and
privileged place at the Nigeria’s constituent Assembly in 1977 which debated the
political future and democratization of the country. With the democratic space thus
opened for the students, their role and significance in the polity cannot be over stressed.
This act by itself boosted the students’ morale as it ushered in and expanded the frontiers
of popular mobilization and participation in the Nigerian politics and democratization
processes. Nigerian students demonstrated against the annulment of June 12 election as
well as the rigging of the 2003 elections.
How can education be expanded to enhance democratic development in Nigeria?
Whereas education enhances economic growth it plays a leading role in economic
development strategy as well as democratic politics. Education makes its recipient more
productive because it transmits knowledge; information and understanding, which
invariably socializes and makes them possess the appropriate behavior in dealing with the
complexities of democratic politics.
No doubt students learn in different ways and also in different environment.
However student socialization processes are also different as they are taught differently at
different environment and behaviors of those responsible for teaching them. It should
therefore be emphasized that the organization of educational system affects the ways and
manner students are organized and the pattern of their struggle for the establishment and
sustenance of democracy.
Education is a basic need and a basic necessity in order to function reasonably
well in any given society invariably students have to be reasonably and productively
educated continuously. Therefore, education and the expansion of democratic
participation is well connected since the ability to participate is well connected since the
ability to participate effectively in democratic process depends largely on knowledge,
information and understanding attained. Furthermore, democratic role is sustained only
on a reasonable equitable distribution of not only income but essentially on the
distribution of productive education amongst recipients.
For education to serve in the expansion of democratic process and development, it
must be organized based on the principles of autonomy, unlimited creativity, provision of
infrastructure and the creation of self-confidence in the students and teachers. Thus, the expansion of democratic participation would automatically favour the expansion of
education as key in the process of democratization and distribution of powers as well as a
panacea to conflicts in societies. That was why in the 1940’s and 1950’s anti- colonial
movements championed by students and other nationalists emphasized the expansion of
education as a primary objective and vehicle for power equality and democratization.
The core of democratic struggle is the existence of truth, sincerity, justice,
fairness and equality. These can only be obtained through productive education and
expansion of the democratic space. Thus, there is a mutual link between education,
democracy and equality serves as bedrock for democratic power and legitimacy through
the expansion of education. MacEwan elucidates this important issue of the symbiosis of
education, democracy and equality as follows:
… greater equality provides a foundation for democratic power which in turn
leads to the expansion of education which in turn generates equality; the
expansion of education generates greater equality which in turn provides a
foundation for democratic power (MacEwan, A. 1999: 1987)
How can students who are transmitted knowledge information and through expansion of education provide a platform for a democratic process and strategy ensure genuine and
sustainable democratic role in Nigeria and also overcome considerable obstacles or forces
that stand in their ways? The primary strategic weapon is the constant truth, sincerity,
justice and equality should be the gospel and doctrine of the students.

The role of students in a democratic
 development strategy in Nigeria is hinged
upon the expansion of education and democratic space. Again, positive impacts of such
expansion depend on the structure of the education system in place. There are other
aspects of the democratic development strategy affected by students.

I remain my humbleself  Senator Abdulaziz Musa Alhassan
Vice president External NATIONAL UNION OF NIGERIAN STUDENTS