The League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State has decried over the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, saying aside placing the education of youths in jeopardy, it exposes them to vices such as crime and drug abuse.

The Imams asserted that the frequent disruptions also weaken the quality of education, thereby producing graduates who are less competitive globally and encourages brain drain, as both students and lecturers seek stability abroad.

Expressing their concerns on Monday, the religious leaders in a statement signed by Secretary General, Imam Tajudeen Adewunmi, urged the Federal Government to act quickly and decisively to find a permanent solution to the problems.

According to the statement, the lingering strike has placed financial burden on parents and guardians who cover living expenses and housing costs even while schools are closed.

Parts of the statement read: “As religious leaders, we cannot remain silent when the education of our youths and the stability of our nation are repeatedly placed in jeopardy. Each round of strike leaves behind painful scars. Students are trapped in prolonged academic calendars, unable to graduate when expected.

“Parents and guardians are weighed down financially, paying for accommodation and living expenses even while schools remain shut. Families endure emotional stress as uncertainty about the future of their children grows heavier. Beyond this, the long periods of idleness expose young people to vices such as crime, drug abuse and restlessness, problems that later spill over into our communities.

“The effect on the nation is equally profound. Frequent disruptions weaken the quality of education, producing graduates who are less competitive globally. Continuous strikes encourage brain drain, as both students and lecturers seek stability abroad. Local businesses around campuses collapse during closures, affecting livelihoods. More dangerously, the repeated instability erodes trust in our public institutions, weakening the hope and faith of citizens in the future of Nigeria.

“We therefore appeal to the Federal Government to take urgent and concrete steps toward resolving these issues once and for all. This includes ensuring fair and sustainable remuneration for lecturers, improving infrastructure and teaching facilities across universities and providing continuous funding for research and innovation to drive national development.”

They also called on ASUU to engage in dialogue with sincerity and respect, acknowledging that while complaints are legitimate, protracted strikes only make things worse for students, families and the country as a whole.

DAILY POST reports that ASUU, in a strike bulletin no. 2, issued by the National Strike Coordinating Committee, NSCC, and signed by Dr Christopher Piwuna at the weekend, said it has kicked off negotiation with the Federal Government over its ongoing industrial action.

This comes as ASUU announced a two-week warning strike on Monday last week, which has grounded activities in Nigerian public universities