Don’t Trigger ASUU Strike, NANS Warns Defaulting State Govts

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has warned state governments against actions that could trigger another disruption in the nation’s university system.

The students urged them to fulfil their obligations under the 2025 agreement between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government urgently.

NANS also appealed to ASUU not to embark on industrial action that could further disrupt the academic calendar, stressing that Nigerian students should not be made to bear the consequences of disputes over the implementation of an agreement to which they are not parties.

The students’ body stated this in a press statement signed by its President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, following the resolutions of ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC).

LEADERSHIP earlier reported that ASUU had authorised affected university branches to issue 14-day ultimatums over the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement, with the possibility of industrial action upon the expiration of the ultimatum.

However, NANS noted that Nasarawa State University, Keffi, had already commenced an industrial action, raising concerns about potential further disruptions at other affected institutions. While acknowledging the right of university lecturers to demand the implementation of agreements reached with the government, NANS urged ASUU to ensure that students are not made to suffer the consequences.

“We strongly appeal to the leadership of ASUU to ensure that Nigerian students are not made to bear the consequences of disputes arising from the implementation of an agreement to which they are not parties,” the statement said.

The students’ body said another prolonged strike would impose an additional burden on millions of Nigerian students, who had already experienced delayed graduation, disrupted academic programmes and prolonged time in school as a result of previous industrial actions.

“In the past, we have had to suffer and endure prolonged academic disruptions, delayed graduation, and extended programmes that had dire psychological consequences for us,” NANS said.

The association therefore called on ASUU’s NEC to reconsider any action that could result in the closure of universities and instead direct its engagement towards the state governments and institutions responsible for outstanding aspects of the agreement.

NANS expressed particular concern that only 20 university branches had been authorised to proceed with the 14-day ultimatum, noting that the failure of some state governments to implement the 2025 agreement was a major issue affecting the institutions.

It urged state governments to take responsibility for their universities and academic staff, warning that failure to do so could have serious consequences for students.

“Any Governor who, despite the increased allocations accruing to states, allows avoidable industrial action to cripple the university system in his state is irresponsible and unfit to be a Governor,” the association said.

The students’ body also called on all state governments with affected universities to immediately honour their responsibilities under the 2025 agreement, resolve outstanding issues affecting academic staff and ensure that eligible staff members receive their due benefits without further delay.

“It is neither fair nor just for students to be sent away from classrooms because of the irresponsibility of these state governments.

“As the authentic voice of Nigerian students, we will not stand by and watch while innocent students are made to suffer for the irresponsibility, ineptitude, and callousness of these Governors.”