The students’ organization voiced alarm over the escalating conflict between the government and ASUU in a statement issued by NANS President Olushola Oladoja on Wednesday. The statement cautioned that any interruption to the academic calendar would be unacceptable to Nigerian students.
Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration, Oladoja pointed out that the education sector has experienced two consecutive academic years—a feat not seen since the return to democracy in 1999.
However, he said that this progress was being threatened by ASUU’s current threat of strike action. In light of this, NANS urges the Federal Government’s negotiating team and ASUU to come up with a practical and long-lasting solution within the next seven (7) days. Oladoja cautioned, “Nigerian students, many of whom are currently enrolled in school on educational loans, cannot afford to have their academic schedule interrupted or their time on campus prolonged again.”
However, the president of NANS praised President Tinubu’s education reforms, citing the administration’s dedication to education and student welfare through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the removal of tertiary staff unions from IPPIS, the reversal of the 40% IGR remittance policy, and special TETFund interventions.
Despite these successes, Oladoja bemoaned the needless stress caused by inadequate communication and hold-ups in putting agreements with ASUU into action. However, Nigerian students all around the country are now concerned about the Academic Staff Union of Universities’ (ASUU) recent threat of strike action. “It is unfortunate that, in spite of the tremendous progress that has been made, this strike—which is the consequence of poor communication and a failure to promptly implement the resolutions that were previously reached with ASUU—is causing avoidable tension that now jeopardizes the peace and advancement of the education sector,” he said.
Oladoja disclosed that NANS’ independent research demonstrated that the union did not attend a meeting that the federal government had previously called to address ASUU’s complaints because of procedural disputes.
“Once the meeting is appropriately reconvened, we have obtained guarantees from both sides that they are prepared to attend. Therefore, NANS urges the administration to organize another meeting right away in order to bridge this communication gap,” he said.
He also urged Tinubu to personally step in, cautioning that a delay could jeopardize the stability and goodwill established in the education sector. We firmly believe that in order to keep the progress made in the education sector during his Renewed Hope Administration from being undermined by another strike, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, must personally step in at this critical juncture.
“President Tinubu’s steadfast dedication to education and student welfare continues to inspire gratitude and support among Nigerian students.” But if this deadlock is not broken and the strike continues for more than seven days, it could jeopardize the gains and goodwill made during this administration.
Oladoja stated, “The future of millions of Nigerian students depends on dialogue, understanding, and decisive action now.”
