NANS has given the Federal Government and ASUU seven days to end their dispute and avert another strike.
The student body urged swift dialogue to protect academic stability across Nigerian universities.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resolve their ongoing dispute and prevent another nationwide strike that could disrupt academic activities.
In a statement on Wednesday, NANS President Olushola Oladoja said the growing tension between the government and ASUU was creating anxiety among students and parents. He noted that the education sector had experienced two uninterrupted academic years under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, a milestone not recorded since 1999, but warned that the current situation was threatening that progress.
Oladoja appealed to both parties to find a lasting solution within one week, stressing that many students now rely on educational loans and cannot afford further disruptions to their studies.
He commended President Tinubu’s education reforms, including the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, removal of tertiary institutions from the IPPIS platform, reversal of the 40 percent IGR remittance policy, and special TETFund interventions. However, he blamed poor communication and delays in fulfilling agreements for the renewed tension.
“Our findings show that a previous meeting called by the government to discuss ASUU’s concerns was not attended by the union because of procedural issues,” he explained. “Both sides have assured us they are ready to reconvene once the meeting is properly arranged.”
NANS called on President Tinubu to personally intervene, saying failure to act quickly could erode the goodwill and stability achieved so far in the education sector.
ASUU had on Monday begun a warning strike following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address long-standing demands, including the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 agreement, payment of withheld salaries, revitalization funds for public universities, and settlement of salary and promotion arrears.
The strike has already affected examinations in some universities across the country, with the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, reportedly directing vice-chancellors to enforce the government’s “No Work, No Pay” policy, a decision that has angered many lecturers.
NANS maintained that dialogue and swift action remain the only way to protect the academic future of millions of Nigerian students.
