ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has given the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) a seven-day deadline to settle their ongoing disagreement and avert another strike that could destabilise the nation’s academic calendar.
In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, the student body voiced concern over the escalating conflict between the government and ASUU, stressing that any further disruption to the academic calendar would be intolerable to Nigerian students.
Oladoja highlighted that the education sector had witnessed two uninterrupted academic years under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration an achievement not recorded since the return to democracy in 1999.
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However, he cautioned that the recent threat of industrial action by ASUU was endangering that 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 (7) days. 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,” Oladoja warned.
The NANS president commended President Tinubu’s education reforms, citing initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, removal of tertiary staff unions from IPPIS, reversal of the 40% IGR remittance policy, and special TETFund interventions as proof of the administration’s commitment to education and student welfare.
Despite these advancements, he lamented that delays in implementing agreements with ASUU and poor communication had led to avoidable friction.
“However, the recent threat of industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has become a source of concern to Nigerian students nationwide.
It is regrettable that despite the huge progress recorded, this strike, a result of miscommunication and poor crisis management with timely implementation of the resolutions earlier reached with ASUU, is thereby creating avoidable tension that now threatens the peace and progress of the education sector,” he said.
Oladoja further disclosed that NANS’ findings revealed that a meeting earlier organised by the federal government to resolve ASUU’s grievances was boycotted by the union due to procedural issues.
“We have secured assurances from both parties that they are ready to attend the meeting once it is properly reconvened. NANS, therefore, calls on the government to immediately reconvene the meeting to close this communication gap,” he stated.
He appealed to President Tinubu to step in personally, cautioning that failure to act promptly could undo the stability and goodwill built in the education sector.
“We strongly emphasise the need for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to personally intervene at this crucial time to prevent the gains achieved in the education sector under his Renewed Hope Administration from being eroded by another strike action.
“Nigerian students remain grateful and supportive of President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to education and student welfare.
However, if this impasse is not resolved and the strike persists beyond seven days, it risks undermining the progress and goodwill recorded under this administration.
“Now is the time for dialogue, understanding, and decisive action the future of millions of Nigerian students depends on it,” Oladoja said.
ASUU had, on Monday, commenced a warning strike following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum given to the federal government to meet its long-standing demands.
The union’s demands include implementing the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, payment of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, revitalisation of public universities, and sustainable funding for tertiary education.
Other complaints cover the payment of 25–35% salary arrears, promotion arrears spanning over four years, and the release of withheld cooperative deductions.
The renegotiation of the 2009 agreement has remained unresolved since 2017, despite several committees constituted by previous administrations.
The most recent committee, chaired by Yayale Ahmed, submitted its report in December 2024, but its recommendations have yet to be implemented.
In reaction to the strike, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, reportedly instructed university vice-chancellors to enforce the government’s “No Work, No Pay” policy on lecturers participating in the industrial action a move that has provoked renewed anger among academic staff.
The strike has already halted ongoing examinations in several universities across the country, sparking concern among students and parents alike.