The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resolve their ongoing disagreement within seven days to prevent another prolonged shutdown of the country’s universities.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its President, Olushola Oladoja, NANS expressed concern that the renewed industrial tension between the government and university lecturers could once again disrupt the academic calendar, warning that Nigerian students would not accept another round of strikes.
Oladoja observed that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the education sector had enjoyed two consecutive academic sessions without disruption — a rare development since 1999. However, he said the looming strike now threatens to undo 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 improving the education sector, including the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the removal of tertiary staff unions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), and special interventions through TETFund. Nonetheless, he expressed worry that delays in executing agreements with ASUU and communication lapses 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 disclosed that NANS’ investigation revealed that a recent meeting convened by the Federal Government to address ASUU’s grievances was not attended by the union due to procedural issues. He said the student body had received assurances from both sides of their readiness to resume dialogue 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 personal intervention, warning that continued inaction could erode 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 embarked on a warning strike after a 14-day ultimatum issued to the government expired. The union’s demands include 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, heightening anxiety among students and parents as both sides remain locked in a stalemate.
