The National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)to resolve their ongoing dispute and prevent the Union from striking.

According to the association, any strike action could disrupt the nation’s academic calendar.

This was contained in a statement signed by NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, on Wednesday.

According to Oladoja, the students’ body is concerned over the growing tension between the government and ASUU and would not allow anything that may affect Nigerian students.

He noted that the education sector for once since the return of democracy in 1999, has enjoyed two uninterrupted academic years under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration warning that any Industrial action by ASUU would Jeopardize the peace and progress.

He stated; “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.

The President however, lauded Tinubu’s education reforms, highlighting 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.

Oladoja lamented that despite these, poor communication and delays in implementing agreements with ASUU has created unnecessary tension.

“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.

“We have secured assurances from both parties that they are ready to attend the meeting once it is properly reconvened. NANS, therefore, calls on the government to immediately reconvene the meeting to close this communication gap,” he stated.

He pleaded with Tinubu to personally intervene in the dispute, warning that failure to act swiftly would not be good for the goodwill and stability his administration has created in the education sector.

He added; “We strongly emphasise 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.

“Nigerian students remain grateful and supportive of President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to education and student welfare. 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.”

Recall that, on Monday, ASUU begun the warning strike after a 14-day ultimatum it gave to the federal government to meet its long-standing demands expired.

The Union is demanding FG to implement the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, payment of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, revitalisation of public universities, and sustainable funding for tertiary institutions.

It further requested other grievances including the payment of 25–35% salary arrears, promotion arrears spanning over four years, and the release of withheld cooperative deductions.

In response to the strike, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, directed university vice-chancellors to enforce the government’s “no work, no pay” policy against lecturers who joined the industrial action.

However, the Union replied that it was not moved by the threats as it was determined to carry out the strike action.