Strike: NANS issues ultimatum to FG, ASUU

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has given the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) seven days to resolve their dispute and stop another strike from crippling academic activities across the country.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its President, Olushola Oladoja, NANS warned that students would not accept any disruption to the school calendar after enjoying two uninterrupted academic years under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Oladoja said the recent threat of a strike by ASUU could erase the progress made in the education sector.

“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. Many students studying through education loans cannot afford further delays or disruptions,” the statement read.

The student body praised President Tinubu’s reforms in education, citing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, removal of tertiary institutions from IPPIS, and TETFund interventions as key achievements.

However, Oladoja blamed poor communication and delays in implementing agreements with ASUU for the renewed crisis.

“Our findings show that a meeting earlier called by the government to address ASUU’s grievances was not attended by the union due to procedural issues. Both sides have now agreed to return to the table once the meeting is properly reconvened,” he said.

NANS urged the Federal Government to quickly reconvene the meeting and called on President Tinubu to personally step in to prevent the situation from escalating.

“We urge President Tinubu to intervene now to safeguard the stability already achieved in the education sector,” Oladoja said.

ASUU began a warning strike on Monday after its 14-day ultimatum to the government expired.

The union is demanding the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, payment of withheld salaries, revitalisation of public universities, and sustainable funding for tertiary education.

Other demands include payment of salary arrears, promotion arrears, and the release of cooperative deductions.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has directed university vice-chancellors to enforce the government’s “No Work, No Pay” policy for lecturers who joined the strike.

The ongoing strike has already disrupted examinations in some universities, leaving students and parents anxious about another prolonged academic shutdown.