The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to settle their ongoing dispute within seven days to avoid another prolonged shutdown of universities across the country.
In a statement released on Wednesday by its President, Olushola Oladoja, NANS voiced concern that the renewed industrial tension between the government and university lecturers could once again interrupt the academic calendar, warning that students would not tolerate another strike.
Oladoja noted that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the education sector had experienced two uninterrupted academic sessions — a rare achievement since 1999. However, he cautioned that the impending strike could reverse this progress.
“It is, therefore, in this spirit that NANS appeals to both ASUU and the Federal Government’s negotiation team to find a workable and lasting solution within the next seven days,” he said. “Nigerian students, many of whom are now studying through educational loans, cannot afford to have their academic calendar disrupted or their duration on campus extended again.”
He commended President Tinubu’s administration for reforms aimed at strengthening the education sector, including the creation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the removal of tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), and targeted interventions through TETFund. Nevertheless, he expressed concern that delays in implementing agreements with ASUU and lapses in communication had reignited tensions.
“It is regrettable that despite the huge progress recorded, this strike — a result of miscommunication and poor crisis management in implementing resolutions earlier reached with ASUU — is creating avoidable tension that now threatens the peace and progress of the education sector,” he stated.
Oladoja revealed that NANS’ findings showed a recent meeting convened by the Federal Government to address ASUU’s grievances was not attended by the union due to procedural issues. He added that the student body had received assurances from both sides of their willingness to resume talks once the meeting was properly reconvened.
“We call on the government to immediately reconvene the meeting to close this communication gap,” he said.
The NANS president also appealed for President Tinubu’s direct involvement, warning that continued inaction could undermine the stability achieved in the education sector. “Now is the time for dialogue, understanding, and decisive action — the future of millions of Nigerian students depends on it,” he added.
ASUU had on Monday begun a warning strike following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum given to the government. The union’s demands include the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, payment of withheld salaries and promotion arrears, revitalisation of public universities, and sustainable funding for tertiary institutions.
The ongoing strike has disrupted examinations in several universities nationwide, increasing anxiety among students and parents as both parties remain at an impasse.
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