The National Association of Nigerian Students has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities to resolve their ongoing dispute and prevent another strike action that could disrupt the nation’s academic calendar.
In a statement signed by NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, on Wednesday, the students’ body expressed concern over the growing tension between the government and ASUU, warning that any disruption to the academic calendar would be unacceptable to Nigerian students.
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Oladoja noted that the education sector had enjoyed two uninterrupted academic years under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration, a feat not recorded since the return to democracy in 1999.
He, however, said the recent threat of industrial action by ASUU was jeopardising 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 (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, however, commended President Tinubu’s education reforms, listing 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 examples of the administration’s commitment to education and student welfare.
Despite these gains, Oladoja lamented that poor communication and delays in implementing agreements with ASUU had created unnecessary tension.
“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 revealed that NANS’ independent findings showed that a meeting earlier convened by the federal government to address ASUU’s grievances was not attended by the union due to procedural disagreements.
“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 further appealed to Tinubu to personally intervene, warning that failure to act swiftly could erode the goodwill and stability achieved 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 begun the warning strike after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government to meet its long-standing demands.
The lecturers are demanding the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, payment of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, revitalisation of public universities, and sustainable funding for tertiary institutions.
Other grievances include 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 stalled since 2017, despite several committees set up by successive governments.