The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed concern that some governors’ alleged failure to implement the 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities could trigger another strike in the nation’s universities.
The students’ body stated this yesterday following ASUU’s decision to authorise 20 affected university branches to issue 14-day ultimatums over the non-implementation of the agreement.
The development has already triggered industrial action at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, where the union’s branch has commenced a strike.
In a statement by its President, Akinteye Afeez, NANS acknowledged the right of university lecturers to demand the implementation of agreements reached with the government, but urged ASUU not to make students bear the consequences of the dispute.
NANS said repeated strikes had subjected students to prolonged academic disruptions, delayed graduation and extended programmes, with serious psychological consequences.
The statement read in part: ‘While we recognise and respect the rights of university lecturers to demand their rights, 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 students’ body urged ASUU to direct its engagement towards the state governments and institutions responsible for outstanding aspects of the agreement rather than shutting universities.
It said the failure of some state governments to implement the 2025 agreement was a major concern, particularly in the affected institutions.
NANS also warned governors that allowing avoidable industrial action to cripple universities in their states would amount to a serious dereliction of responsibility.
‘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.
It called on all state governments with affected universities to immediately honour their obligations under the 2025 agreement and resolve outstanding issues affecting academic staff.
NANS said students should not be sent away from classrooms because of what it described as the ‘irresponsibility, ineptitude, and callousness’ of governors.
‘We appeal to these Governors to place the interests of students at the centre of their governance. The classroom must remain the last place where the consequences of an administrative failure are borne by innocent students,’ the statement said.
The students’ body, however, said it remained committed to constructive engagement with ASUU, the Federal Government and university managements to ensure uninterrupted academic activities.
‘Nigerian students deserve uninterrupted education,’ NANS added.