The Nigerian Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly criticised the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for participating in the ongoing nationwide workers’ strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
News About Nigeria reported that the strike was initiated in response to an assault on NLC’s National President, Joe Ajaero, in Imo State.
In a statement signed by Babatunde Akinteye, Vice President External Affairs of NANS, the association expressed profound resentment and disappointment at the decision of NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark on the indefinite strike.
The student body emphasised the potential negative impact on the university system calendar, which has already experienced numerous disruptions due to previous strike actions.
The statement outlined the concerns of NANS, stating, “Furthermore, the decision of the ASUU to join the strike is particularly disheartening. The academic calendar has already been severely impacted, and the addition of another strike further jeopardizes the educational sector, which is already grappling with numerous challenges.”
NANS voiced its disappointment in the leadership of these unions, accusing them of prioritising strikes over constructive dialogue.
The association urged the NLC and TUC leadership to reconsider their stance and explore more constructive avenues to address their concerns without causing undue harm to the general populace.
NANS expressed concern about the broader impact of the strike on the educational sector, emphasising that disruptions not only affect citizens’ normalcy but also set a dangerous precedent for conflict resolution.
In conclusion, the apex student body called attention to what it perceived as ‘irrationality, disregard for the court of law, and misplaced priority’ demonstrated by the NLC, TUC, and ASUU in their collective action.
The statement urged all parties to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve issues without further harm to the education system and the nation at large.
