NANS Urges ASUU To Shelve Planned Strike

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to reconsider its planned industrial action over the delayed payment of June 2025 salaries, urging the union to explore dialogue with the federal government instead.

In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by NANS National Vice President for Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs, Felicia Akinbodunse, the student body expressed concern that any strike action now could disrupt the stable academic calendar that universities have maintained over the past two years.

NANS’ appeal follows ASUU’s confirmation on Monday that it had directed all branches nationwide to withdraw their services in protest against the delayed salary payments, citing the union’s “No Pay, No Work” policy. According to the resolution passed by ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC), any salary delayed beyond three days warrants the withdrawal of services until payment is made.

ASUU President Prof. Chris Piwuna confirmed the development to the media, noting that ASUU chapters at the University of Jos and the University of Abuja had already commenced strike action in compliance with the directive.

While acknowledging ASUU’s grievances, Akinbodunse appealed to the union to weigh the impact of its actions on students, who, she said, are always the most affected during strikes.

“Rather than halting academic activities, ASUU should engage the federal government through dialogue to address the issue of delayed salaries. Students and their families cannot afford any disruption to the academic calendar, especially given the current economic realities,” she stated.

Akinbodunse also noted that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, universities had enjoyed a period of relative stability, with reduced incidences of strikes. She urged both ASUU and the federal government to prioritize constructive engagement and resolve the matter swiftly.

She concluded by appealing to the federal government to find a lasting solution to salary payment delays, emphasizing the need for consistent and timely remuneration to avoid further disruptions in the education sector.