ASUU Strike: NANS Clamours for Students’ Involvement in Future Negotiations

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended the Federal Government (FG) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), for reaching an agreement to end the union’s nine-month-old strike.

Sunday Asefon, the National President of NANS, while reacting to the announcement by ASUU calling off the strike on Wednesday in Abuja, called for the involvement of the students’ body in future negotiations.

ASUU embarked on strike on March 23, to press home its demands which included funding for the Revitalisation of Public Universities, payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), resolving salary shortfall and state universities’ problems.

Others bordered on visitation panels, re-constitution of the 2009 FGN/ASUU re-negotiation committee, University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), withheld salaries and non-remittance of check-off dues.

Mr Asefon stated that students’ involvement in future negotiations between the federal government and ASUU would bring a sense of urgency to the table during such negotiations.

The national president said students’ involvement would also compel government and ASUU to understand the need for prompt settlement of disputes.

“I welcome this development with nostalgia. I feel very concerned that our students had to stay for nine months at home before the FG and ASUU could resolve this impasse.

“At the same time, I feel elated that the ugly days are finally over for the Nigerian students, and we can all return to our different campuses.

“Going forward, government and ASUU must find a progressive ground and alternative conflict resolution process in resolving their differences on labour actions.

“Students who seek education must not be allowed to bear the brunt of labour related issues.

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