National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to settle their ongoing dispute.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement released on Wednesday, NANS President Olushola Oladoja voiced concern that the renewed industrial tension could lead to yet another strike, warning that Nigerian students would not tolerate a repeat of past academic setbacks.
Oladoja noted that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, universities had enjoyed uninterrupted sessions for two years, a rare occurrence since 1999. However, he cautioned that the current standoff threatens to erase those gains.
He said, “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 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.”
The NANS president acknowledged the administration’s efforts to reform the education sector including the creation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the exemption of tertiary staff unions from IPPIS, and targeted interventions through TETFund. Still, he lamented that poor communication and delays in implementing agreements with ASUU had reignited tensions.
Oladoja disclosed that NANS’ findings showed ASUU declined to attend a recent government meeting due to procedural concerns, adding that both parties had expressed readiness to return to the negotiation table once the process is properly reconvened.
He said, “We call on the government to immediately reconvene the meeting to close this communication gap”, urging President Tinubu to personally intervene to safeguard the stability achieved in the education system.
Recall that ASUU commenced a warning strike on Monday after the expiration of its 14-day ultimatum to the government.
The union is demanding 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 education.
