The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has given the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) a seven-day deadline to resolve their ongoing disagreement and prevent another disruption to the country’s academic calendar.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its president, Olushola Oladoja, NANS expressed concern over the renewed tension between the government and university lecturers. The association warned that another strike would be unacceptable to students who have already faced repeated academic interruptions in the past.
Oladoja noted that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the education sector had experienced two uninterrupted academic years, something that had not occurred since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. However, he said the current standoff between ASUU and the government was threatening that stability.
He appealed to both sides to reach a lasting agreement within seven days to prevent further setbacks, noting that many students now rely on educational loans and cannot afford extended time in school.
The NANS president commended the federal government for various reforms aimed at improving the education system, such as the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, removal of tertiary institutions from the IPPIS platform, reversal of the 40 percent remittance policy, and special TETFund interventions.
Despite these efforts, Oladoja said poor communication and delayed implementation of agreements had created unnecessary tension between ASUU and the government.
He added that the association’s investigation revealed that a previous reconciliation meeting failed to hold because of procedural issues, though both parties had agreed to attend once reconvened.
NANS urged the Federal Government to quickly reconvene the meeting and called on President Tinubu to personally intervene to protect the progress made in the education sector.
ASUU had earlier begun a warning strike after giving a 14-day ultimatum to the government to address its unresolved demands, including implementation of the renegotiated 2009 agreement, payment of withheld salaries, revitalisation of public universities, and settlement of promotion and cooperative arrears.
The strike, which has already disrupted examinations in several universities, has left students and parents worried about another prolonged academic setback.