NANS to FG, ASUU: End Crisis in 7 Days or Risk Students’ Revolt

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 lingering dispute and avert another strike that could disrupt the country’s academic calendar.

In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by its President, Olushola Oladoja, NANS expressed deep concern over the renewed tensions between both parties, warning that any interruption in academic activities would be unacceptable to Nigerian students.

Oladoja commended the relative stability the education sector has enjoyed in the past two years under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration — the longest uninterrupted academic stretch since 1999. However, he warned that ASUU’s latest strike threat risked reversing these gains.

“NANS appeals to both ASUU and the Federal Government’s negotiation team to reach a lasting resolution within seven days. Many students are studying through educational loans and cannot afford another disruption that would prolong their time on campus,” Oladoja stated.

He praised President Tinubu’s education reforms, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, removal of tertiary staff unions from IPPIS, reversal of the 40% IGR remittance policy, and targeted TETFund interventions, describing them as evidence of the administration’s commitment to education and student welfare.

Despite these achievements, Oladoja lamented that poor communication and delayed implementation of agreements with ASUU had created unnecessary tension. He revealed that an earlier reconciliation meeting between both parties was abandoned due to procedural disagreements but noted that both sides had expressed willingness to reconvene once the process is properly structured.

NANS urged the federal government to immediately reconvene the meeting and called on President Tinubu to personally intervene to safeguard the progress made in the education sector.

“We strongly urge President Tinubu to step in to prevent another strike that could erode the goodwill achieved under his Renewed Hope Administration. The time for dialogue and decisive action is now—the future of millions of Nigerian students depends on it,” Oladoja emphasized.

ASUU had on Monday commenced a warning strike following the expiration of its 14-day ultimatum to the federal government over unmet demands, including the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, payment of withheld salaries, revitalisation of public universities, and release of cooperative deductions.

The ongoing strike, which has already disrupted examinations in several universities, has reignited tensions between the government and the academic union, especially after the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, directed university vice-chancellors to enforce the “No Work, No Pay” policy on striking lecturers.