The National Association of Nigerian Students has given the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities a seven-day ultimatum to settle their ongoing dispute and end the current strike that has disrupted academic activities nationwide.
In a statement on Wednesday, NANS President Olushola Oladoja said the students’ body was worried about the rising tension between the government and ASUU, warning that another prolonged strike would not be tolerated.
Oladoja said the education sector had experienced two uninterrupted academic years under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, a record not achieved since 1999. He added that the ongoing industrial action now threatened that progress.
“It is in this spirit that NANS appeals to both ASUU and the Federal Government to find a lasting solution within the next seven days. Nigerian students, many of whom now depend on education loans, cannot afford another disruption in their studies,” he said.
The NANS president praised President Tinubu’s education policies, citing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, removal of tertiary institutions from IPPIS, and increased TETFund support as key reforms.
He, however, blamed the current tension on poor communication and delays in implementing previous agreements with ASUU.
“Nigerian students are deeply concerned that this strike, caused by miscommunication and poor handling of earlier resolutions, is threatening the peace and progress achieved in the education sector,” Oladoja said.
He revealed that ASUU did not attend a recent government meeting meant to address its grievances due to procedural issues but said both sides had agreed to reconvene once proper arrangements were made.
Oladoja urged President Tinubu to personally intervene to prevent the situation from escalating, saying continued inaction could undermine the government’s gains in education.
ASUU began a warning strike on Monday after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum to the government to meet its long-standing demands.
The union is seeking 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 Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has directed vice-chancellors to enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy, a move that has angered many lecturers and disrupted ongoing exams in several universities.
