The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resolve their ongoing dispute and avert another strike action that could disrupt the nation’s academic calendar.
In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, on Wednesday, the students’ body expressed deep concern over the escalating tension between the government and ASUU, warning that any disruption to academic activities would be “unacceptable” to Nigerian students.
Oladoja noted that Nigeria’s education sector had enjoyed two consecutive years of uninterrupted academic activity under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration a feat not recorded since the country’s return to democracy in 1999. However, he 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 stated.
The NANS president commended President Tinubu for his education reforms, listing initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the removal of tertiary institutions from IPPIS, the reversal of the 40% IGR remittance policy, and special TETFund interventions as evidence of the administration’s commitment to improving education and student welfare.
Despite these gains, Oladoja lamented that poor communication and delays in implementing agreements with ASUU had created avoidable tension within the university system.
“The recent threat of industrial action by ASUU has become a major source of concern to Nigerian students nationwide. It is regrettable that despite the huge progress recorded, this crisis fueled by miscommunication and delays in implementing earlier agreements is now threatening the peace and stability of the education sector,” he said.
Oladoja further disclosed that NANS’ independent findings revealed 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 urged.
He also appealed to President Tinubu to personally intervene in the matter, warning that failure to act swiftly could erode the goodwill and stability achieved in the education sector over the past two years.
“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.
Meanwhile, ASUU on Monday began a warning strike following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued 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 education. 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. The most recent committee, chaired by Yayale Ahmed, submitted its report in December 2024, but implementation has yet to begin.
In response to the strike, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, reportedly directed university vice-chancellors to enforce the government’s “No Work, No Pay” policy on lecturers who joined the industrial action a move that has sparked fresh outrage among university workers.
The ongoing strike has already disrupted examinations in several universities across the country, causing anxiety among students and parents alike.
