The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has told the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resolve the ongoing 2 week strike action within seven days.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by NANS President Olushola Oladoja, the students’ body expressed concern over renewed tensions between the two parties, warning that any further disruption to the academic calendar would be unacceptable.
The association noted the situation was dire as many students now depend on student loans and as such would be more susceptible to negative effects of the academic system being shut down.
The pointed out that that the education sector had enjoyed two uninterrupted academic years under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing the current strike as a setback to that progress.
Oladojaalso disclosed that NANS’ independent findings revealed that a previous government meeting to address ASUU’s grievances was not attended by the union due to procedural disagreements.
The association, he said, had since received assurances from both sides that they would attend once the meeting was properly reconvened.
The students’ body urged President Tinubu to personally intervene to safeguard the gains made so far in education, warning that failure to do so could erode stability in the sector. The warning comes as the two-week warning strike declared by ASUU continues to disrupt ongoing examinations in several universities across the country.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
