The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) ordered the closure of all main roadways in Nigerian states and the capital, Abuja, on Sunday in protest of a one-month ASUU strike.
University lecturers launched a four-week strike last Monday under the auspices of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The decision to block all main highways was made by all of the national students’ body organs in Sokoto as a means of demonstrating against university teachers’ repeated industrial strikes, according to the national students’ body.
NANS President Asefon Sunday and NANS Secretary-General Adekitan Lukman jointly signed a statement titled “NANS National Action Against Incessant ASUU Strike,” which criticized the strike’s financial repercussions on students.
“Nigerian students can’t continue to pay for sins we never committed, as we are paying for our education, we strongly believe we deserve the best,” the statement reads. “ASUU members are paid their salaries at the end of every industrial action, and government officials in charge of education supervision are paid their salaries as well.”
“Only Nigerian students get nothing but a waste of money; the rent is non-refundable, and the age count is irrevocable. The extension of our stay on campus affected not only our academic journey but also our life plans, as many students missed NYSC mobilization due to age restrictions, many lost job opportunities due to age restrictions, and many became vulnerable to risks and crimes as a result of the unavoidable idleness imposed on Nigerian students by the strike action”.
“In order to combat the numerous negative effects of industrial action on Nigerian students’ academic progress, I am pleased to direct the immediate commencement of planning and mass mobilization of Nigerian students and comrades across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, in accordance with Congress’ decision.”
“The plan of action is as follows: Blockade of all key Federal Roads in all 36 states of the Federation, led and directed by the NANS JCC and Zonal Executive, which will include NANS national officials in the state.”
“The National Secretariat, in coordination with the NANS FCT axis, will block the Federal Capital Territory.
“These became sacred once ASUU and FG failed to negotiate an agreement and reopen our campuses on or before February 28, 2022.”
“National Action Day Against ASUU Incessant Strike Action, marked ‘#ENDASUUSTRIKEPERMANENTLYNOW,’ is thus declared on Monday, February 28, 2022.”
