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By John Ogunsemore
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has said the gains recorded in the education sector under the Bola Tinubu administration risk being reversed unless the president personally intervenes to resolve the agitation by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
NANS President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja stated this in a statement he personally signed.
On Monday, ASUU commenced a two-week warning strike to press home its demands after talks between the union and the Federal Government broke down.
FG promptly imposed a ‘no work, no pay’ policy, a move ASUU described as an attempt to intimidate the union after FG’s “divisive” tactics failed.
Oladoja noted that the Tinubu administration has performed creditably in the education sector since its inauguration in 2023.
He said policies such as establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), removal of tertiary institution staff unions from the IPPIS platform, reversal of the 40% IGR remittance policy for universities, special intervention funding through TETFund, and introduction of free technical and vocational education with monthly stipends, were monumental strides that represent the genuine commitment of the Tinubu administration to revive education as a pillar of national development.
Describing the policies as “bold and student-centered”, Oladoja noted that the system responded with two full academic years without disruption, which he said was a remarkable milestone achieved under the Renewed Hope administration of President Tinubu.
“However, the recent threat of industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has become a source of concern to Nigerian students nationwide. It is regrettable that despite the huge progress recorded, this strike, a result of miscommunication and poor crisis management with timely implementation of the resolutions earlier reached with ASUU is thereby creating avoidable tension that now threatens the peace and progress of the education sector.
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“Our preliminary investigation reveals that ASUU has, indeed, demonstrated commendable patience and understanding, while the Honourable Ministers of Education and Labour have also been exerting their best efforts toward ensuring full implementation of the agreements reached. However, except the expected results are achieved, no party—neither ASUU nor government—will receive credit.
“In addition, part of our independent investigation into the root cause of this misunderstanding affirms, from consultations with both parties, that a meeting earlier convened by the Federal Government to perfect ongoing efforts at addressing the grey areas of the resolution for implementation was not honoured by ASUU. ASUU, however, faulted the modality in which the meeting was convened, which they cited as the reason for not attending.
“Having identified this critical gap, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) hereby enjoins the concerned authorities to reconvene this meeting immediately, as we have secured assurances from both parties of their readiness to attend once it is properly reconvened. This, we believe, will pave the way for a lasting solution and prevent further escalation of the crisis.
“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.
“We strongly emphasize the need for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to personally intervene at this crucial time to prevent the gains achieved in the education sector under his Renewed Hope Administration from being eroded by another strike action,” Oladoja said.
The NANS President emphasized that Nigerian students remained grateful to the president for his unwavering commitment to education and student welfare.
Oladoja said, “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.
“Now is the time for dialogue, understanding, and decisive action—the future of millions of Nigerian students depends on it.”
