Students Association Pleads With Fed Govt, ASUU To Negotiate

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has pleaded with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to positively negotiate with the Federal Government regarding the ongoing strike.

University students have been on strike even before the coronavirus lockdown in March.

According to the NANS President Danielson Akpan, ASUU embarked on an indefinite strike not only because of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) issue, but because  government had not fulfilled other agreements reached with ASUU, The Nation reported.

“We cannot be against ASUU because we have urged government to meet up with the agreements reached with them. We followed up and played our part, but government didn’t comply.  In fact, it is not only ASUU that is on strike, COEASU is on strike too,” Akpan said.

Its President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, said the union wants the Federal Government to implement the needs assessment conducted in 2012 across the nation’s universities.

On protests by students regarding re-opening of schools, Akpan noted that such would continue if nothing gets done.

“Students have to protest. Of course, a bigger one is coming.  Somebody called me and asked me to pick a date so that we can shut down everywhere,” he said.