NANS urges ASUU to shelve strike over salary delay, citing harm to students nationwide.
The student body appeals for dialogue, warning against disruptions to academic stability and progress.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to reconsider its nationwide strike over the delayed payment of June 2025 salaries. NANS urged the union to adopt dialogue with the Federal Government rather than withdraw academic services, warning that students remain the primary victims of industrial actions.
In a statement released on Tuesday, July 8, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and signed by its National Vice President on Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs, Akinbodunse Sileola Felicia, NANS expressed concern that the latest strike could jeopardize the relative academic stability universities have enjoyed in the past two years.
“Students and their parents cannot afford any disruption in the academic calendar, especially given the economic situation in the country,” Akinbodunse said.
Her comments follow ASUU directive to its chapters across the country to suspend all academic activities due to delayed June salaries, citing the enforcement of the union’s long-standing “No Pay, No Work” policy. Already, lecturers at the University of Jos and the University of Abuja have withdrawn their services in compliance with the directive.
ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, confirmed the development on Monday, stating that the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) had resolved that any month in which salaries are delayed beyond three days would trigger a work stoppage.
“We have a NEC decision that if salaries are not paid within a few days into the new month, members should stop working. What is happening now is simply the enforcement of that decision,” Piwuna said.
In her statement, Akinbodunse emphasized that students are consistently the most affected when university unions declare strikes, citing prolonged academic sessions, emotional stress, and financial hardship on families as direct consequences.
She noted that under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there has been significant improvement in academic stability and that disrupting this progress could undo hard-won gains.
“Since the inception of President Tinubu’s administration, the frequency of ASUU strikes has reduced drastically, allowing students to enjoy uninterrupted academic sessions. This must not be reversed,” she added.
While urging ASUU to be patient and explore alternative routes to resolution, NANS also called on the Federal Government to take urgent action to resolve the salary delays and ensure sustainable solutions to avoid future disruptions.
“We implore the Federal Government to address the root cause of salary delays and adopt a permanent fix that guarantees timely remuneration for academic staff. The welfare of lecturers should not come at the cost of student futures,” Akinbodunse stressed.
NANS reiterated its commitment to safeguarding student interests and preserving the academic calendar, warning that repeated strikes only further the educational and economic burdens on young Nigerians.
