The National Association of Nigerian Students has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities to resolve their ongoing dispute and prevent another strike action that could disrupt the nation’s academic calendar.
In a statement signed by NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, on Wednesday, the students’ body expressed concern over the growing tension between the government and ASUU, warning that any disruption to the academic calendar would be unacceptable to Nigerian students.
Oladoja noted that the education sector had enjoyed two uninterrupted academic years under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration, a feat not recorded since the return to democracy in 1999.
He, however, said the recent threat of industrial action by ASUU was jeopardising this progress.
“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. Nigerian students, many of whom are now studying through educational loans, cannot afford to have their academic calendar disrupted or their duration on campus extended again,” Oladoja warned.
The NANS president, however, commended President Tinubu’s education reforms, listing initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, removal of tertiary staff unions from IPPIS, reversal of the 40% IGR remittance policy, and special TETFund interventions as examples of the administration’s commitment to education and student welfare.
Despite these gains, Oladoja lamented that poor communication and delays in implementing agreements with ASUU had created unnecessary tension.
(Punch)
