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 end their ongoing dispute, warning that another strike would be unacceptable.
The association expressed frustration that renewed tensions between both parties could once again destabilize Nigeria’s fragile academic calendar.
In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by NANS President Olushola Oladoja, the student body cautioned that millions of students, many now depending on education loans, cannot afford another disruption.
“It is, therefore, in this spirit that NANS appeals to both ASUU and the Federal Government’s negotiation team to find a workable and lasting solution within the next seven (7) days,” Oladoja said.
Students warn against another disruption
Oladoja noted that the education sector has enjoyed two uninterrupted academic years under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, a streak not recorded since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
He said the current threat of strike action “jeopardizes this progress” and could undo the gains made under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
NANS commended Tinubu’s reforms in the education sector, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, removal of tertiary staff from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), reversal of the 40% IGR remittance policy, and increased TETFund interventions.
However, Oladoja blamed “poor communication and delays in implementing agreements” for fueling unnecessary tension between ASUU and the government.
Government, ASUU communication breakdown
According to NANS, its independent findings revealed that a recent meeting convened by the federal government to address ASUU’s concerns was not attended by the union due to “procedural disagreements.”
The association said both parties have expressed readiness to reconvene the meeting once properly arranged.
“We have secured assurances from both parties that they are ready to attend the meeting once it is properly reconvened,” Oladoja stated.
“NANS, therefore, calls on the government to immediately reconvene the meeting to close this communication gap.”
Call for Tinubu’s intervention
Oladoja urged President Tinubu to personally intervene to prevent a relapse into the cycle of strikes that have historically scarred Nigeria’s universities.
“We strongly emphasize the need for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally intervene at this crucial time,” he said, warning that failure to act could erode the administration’s goodwill among students.
“Nigerian students remain grateful and supportive of President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to education and student welfare.
However, if this impasse is not resolved and the strike persists beyond seven days, it risks undermining the progress and goodwill recorded under this administration,” he added.
ASUU’s unresolved grievances
ASUU began a warning strike on Monday after a 14-day ultimatum to the government expired.
The union’s key demands include the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, payment of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, revitalisation of public universities, and sustainable funding for tertiary institutions.
Other grievances include payment of 25–35% salary arrears, promotion arrears spanning four years, and release of withheld cooperative deductions.
The Yayale Ahmed-led committee submitted a report on renegotiating the 2009 agreement in December 2024, but it remains unimplemented.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has directed vice-chancellors to enforce the government’s “No Work, No Pay” policy for lecturers participating in the strike.
The directive has sparked outrage within academic circles and disrupted ongoing examinations across several universities, leaving students anxious about their academic future.
