The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed concern that the alleged failure of some state governors to implement the 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) could trigger another nationwide strike in Nigerian universities.
NANS raised the concern on Tuesday following ASUU’s decision to authorise 20 affected university branches to issue 14-day ultimatums over the non-implementation of parts of the agreement.
The development has already led to industrial action at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, where the university’s ASUU branch has commenced a strike.
In a statement issued by its President, Akinteye Afeez, NANS acknowledged the right of university lecturers to demand the implementation of agreements reached with the government but appealed to ASUU not to make students bear the consequences of the dispute.
The students’ body said repeated strikes had subjected Nigerian students to prolonged academic disruptions, delayed graduations and extended academic programmes, with serious psychological consequences.
The statement read in part: “While we recognise and respect the rights of university lecturers to demand their rights, we strongly appeal to the leadership of ASUU to ensure that Nigerian students are not made to bear the consequences of disputes arising from the implementation of an agreement to which they are not parties.”
NANS urged ASUU to direct its engagements towards the state governments and institutions responsible for outstanding aspects of the agreement rather than shutting down universities.
It described the alleged failure of some state governments to implement the 2025 agreement as a major concern, particularly in the affected institutions.
“Any governor who, despite the increased allocations accruing to states, allows avoidable industrial action to cripple the university system in his state is irresponsible and unfit to be a Governor,” the association said.
NANS called on all state governments with affected universities to immediately fulfil their obligations under the 2025 agreement and resolve outstanding issues affecting academic staff.
The students’ body stressed that students should not be sent away from their classrooms because of what it described as the “irresponsibility, ineptitude, and callousness” of some governors.
“We appeal to these Governors to place the interests of students at the centre of their governance. The classroom must remain the last place where the consequences of an administrative failure are borne by innocent students,” the statement added.
NANS, however, said it remained committed to constructive engagement with ASUU, the Federal Government and university managements to ensure uninterrupted academic activities.
“Nigerian students deserve uninterrupted education,” the association added.
