It is important that we bring clarity on crucial terms in this topic, this will help the reader understand what we are talking about and appreciate this write up. When we hear the word University, what comes to mind? A University is an institution of higher learning where people study any course of their choice offered by such institutions which then forms the basis of their work career.

This means that Universities grooms people in preparation for their career path, this institution offers varying degrees after the student have studied the course for the required period of time.

An Economy simply means the study of money, trade and the efficient use of resources while a community is a place where a large group of people live, interact and transact together. A community can be Urban or Rural depending on the level of development.

Now we have understood the terms crucial to this topic, lets delve into it in full, for a University to exist physically there must be Infrastructures that is buildings or structures occupying a vast mass of land located in a community.

These structures makes a university conducive for learning cause they consist of the Lecture Halls, Departmental Buildings, Hostels, Libraries, ICT Centers, Student Hubs, etc. So university transforms to a place in a community where people go to learn.

University attracts a large number of people both within and outside such host Community, for example the University of Nigeria located in Nsukka, Enugu State attracts thousands of people not just from Nsukka but from other states in Nigeria, this means that the University Environment is Diverse and Multi-Cultural in nature.

Impact of Universities in the Economy of a host Community

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When a University is established in a community it brings development to such Community especially if it is a rural community, for people to access such university their must be a good connection of road network, when these roads are constructed it allows for vehicular movement and this entices Transport companies to come in their mass to such community.

Students who come from afar and within such community makes use of this available means of transportation, the money starts circulating, services are rendered in exchange for money.

These vehicles can't function without Fuel likewise the back up generator in the University, another sector of the economy is created, fuel stations begin to pop up rendering services to the commuters, the students and the University as well.

This economical activities increases the price of land in such Community as more and more development comes in, constructions of lodges, restaurant, hotels, recreational centers, churches, mosques, market centers, shopping malls etc all these services are targeted at the student.

The money starts circulating, more cash flow and ease of doing business as everyone in this community benefits from it, these economic activities boost the growth of the community and such community can move from Rural to Urban Status.

Within the schools we have the drivers who Transport people coming from outside to various locations of the University for a fee, Banks set up branches in these schools because of the money circulating in such area,

in fact where there is high commercial activities a bank must be around the corner, so development attracts financial institutions, there are also petty traders, cyber cafes and restaurants within the Universities as well catering to the need and wants of the students.

The Economy of the Host Community where the University is located grows at a rapid, because their is much cash circulating, as services and products meet the demands of the consumers which are majorly students.

Effects of ASUU Strike

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I want the reader to imagine what a ghost town looks like, imagine that your favorite restaurant in school that serves finger licking delicacies or that little supermarket where you do your shopping or that cyber cafe where you do your print out or that little bus park at the school gate that conveys you around the school, they are all out of business because of the Strike, a lot of them have had to move their business away to other locations, some are left with nothing to do. The services they render is missing their main customers, the students who patronise them.

The banks within the school is no longer buzzing with students and lecturers depositing or withdrawing cash, economic activities have slowed down with little money circulating not as it used to be. Some businesses may never recover from this prolonged strike especially where the economy of the community is highly interwoven with operation of the University.

Conclusion

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The impact of universities on the economy of a community cannot be overemphasized, they play a very crucial role in bringing development to such community, it can transform a Rural community to an Urban Community. However ASUU strike has a negative impact because it slows down economic activities as students who are at the center of these activities desert the University and its host Community.