The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has taken note of the resolutions of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), particularly the decision authorizing affected university branches to issue 14-day ultimatums over the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government and ASUU Agreement, with the possibility of industrial action upon expiration (with Nasarawa State University, Keffi, having already commenced action).

While we recognize and respect the rights of university lecturers to demand their entitlements, we strongly appeal to the leadership of ASUU to ensure that Nigerian students are not made to bear the consequences of disputes arising from an agreement to which they are not direct parties.

As the apex representative body representing millions of Nigerian students, NANS is deeply concerned that any further disruption of the academic calendar would impose yet another heavy burden on students. Past academic disruptions and delayed graduations have had severe psychological and career consequences.

  1. Targeted Engagement: NANS calls on ASUU NEC to reconsider actions that result in total campus closures and instead direct industrial engagements specifically toward the state governments and institution managements responsible for default.
  2. Focus on State Universities: NANS notes with concern that only 20 university branches have been authorized to proceed with the 14-day ultimatum, driven primarily by the failure of respective state governments to implement the 2025 agreement.

State governments must be compelled to discharge their statutory responsibilities to their state universities and academic staff.

"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. This is gross insensitivity towards students and academic staff at its peak. Such negligence is not only callous but amounts to criminality and a serious dereliction of responsibility."

It is neither fair nor just for students to be shut out of classrooms because of administrative irresponsibility. As the authentic voice of Nigerian students, NANS will not stand by while students suffer for the ineptitude of state executives.

NANS calls on all affected Governors to place student interests at the center of governance and immediately:

  1. Intervene to resolve outstanding administrative issues with ASUU branches.
  2. Ensure all duly deserved benefits and entitlements reach eligible academic staff without further delay.
  3. Guarantee that classrooms remain open and protected from governance failures.

NANS remains committed to constructive and intellectual engagement with ASUU, the Federal Government, and university managements toward ensuring Nigerian students receive an uninterrupted, quality education.

Signed:

Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, GCNS

President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)