The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has given the Benue State government a five-day ultimatum to resolve its disputes with the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).
The students’ body also demanded the immediate reopening of tertiary institutions across the state affected by the industrial dispute.
Key Highlights:
NANS gave the Benue government a 5-day ultimatum to resolve disputes with COEASU and ASUP.
It demanded the immediate reopening of affected tertiary institutions.
The dispute has disrupted academic activities and students’ studies.
NANS warned it would take further action if the crisis remains unresolved.
The association said its priority is protecting students’ academic interests.
NANS issued the ultimatum in a statement on Tuesday, warning that it would take further action if the government failed to resolve the crisis within five days.
The dispute between the Benue State government and the unions has disrupted academic activities in state-owned tertiary institutions, leaving students unable to continue their studies as scheduled.
NANS said the continued closure of the institutions is unacceptable, stressing that students should not be made to bear the consequences of unresolved disagreements between the government and workers’ unions.
The association called on the state government to engage the affected unions and find a lasting solution to the issues responsible for the dispute.
Read also:
It also urged the government to prioritise the reopening of the institutions to enable students to return to their classrooms and continue their academic programmes.
NANS said it would closely monitor developments during the five-day period and take appropriate steps if the government failed to meet its demands.
The ultimatum has also sparked reactions on social media, with some Nigerians questioning the state of education and the recurring disputes between governments and education-sector unions.
While some commenters urged NANS to seek legal means of resolving the matter, others expressed concern about the prolonged disruption of academic activities in Benue.
The students’ association, however, maintained that its primary concern was the reopening of the affected institutions and the protection of students’ academic interests.
ADVERTISEMENT
