The prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is causing sleepless nights among parents and students over the future of students in the higher institutions.

They are worried that the strike could affect education in the country. As the strike action by ASUU persists, parents have expressed concern over plights of their wards who are now idling at home.

They are afraid the situation may lead to untoward consequences. For several years, it has become virtually hard for students to graduate in government-owned institutions in record time without an extension to the duration of their courses of study due to incessant strikes.

A parent, Otabor Joy, said it is dangerous to leave youths idle for too long, as it could lead them into unhealthy behaviour, pointing out that “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”

She lamented that for students, losing valuable time that would have furthered their goals academically is really a pain, warning that they may find their focus shifting, which ultimately may impact their education and development.

Miss Ufoma Sophia, a student of the University of Benin, said she applied for direct entry into the institution after her National Diploma at a polytechnic.

According to Sophia, her course of study is to run for three years, but due to the strike, it will likely now extend to five years or more. She lamented that the students are like pawns in a chess game in the hands of ASUU and the Federal Government. She, therefore, pleaded with the government to resolve the crisis to save the future of education.

Another student, Oluwatomiwa Ogunniyi of the University of Ilorin, said the incessant strike actions in Federal institutions have made her lose passion for learning.

Ogunniyi drew attention to the financial burden of the strike on students, saying the rent on her hostel has expired and she will have to renew it.