NANS Calls Off Protest After Governor Promises Quick Action

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called off a planned protest in Akure, Ondo State. This protest was about the long strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA).

NANS President Akinteye Babatunde said they made this decision after talking with Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The governor promised to sort out the issues within two weeks.

"Earlier today, as NANS JCC Ondo Axis and the Adekunle Ajasin University Students’ Union Government (AAUA SUG) were mobilising for their planned protest over the prolonged ASUU strike in the state-owned universities, I received a call from the Executive Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, regarding the strike," Mr Babatunde stated.

He added, "I expressed my displeasure over the continued closure of our universities and made it clear that students are protesting because they are tired of sitting at home. I told the Governor that there should be no reason why students in Ondo State should continue to lose valuable academic time to a prolonged strike."

Mr Babatunde said the governor explained the steps the state government is taking to end the strike. He also confirmed his commitment to the agreement with ASUU.

"The Governor…informed me that he had directed all affected institutions to submit the financial implications of the new salary structure to the Ministry of Budget, so that the necessary budgetary provisions could be forwarded to the House of Assembly for passage," he said.

University lecturers have been on strike since 10 July over unpaid salaries. The state government approved N1.1 billion to pay the lecturers’ outstanding salaries and urged them to return to work.

But on 11 August, the lecturers began another fresh “Indefinite strike” over the non-implementation of the 2025 FGN-ASUU agreement and salary arrears.

As of 15 September, the strike has gone on for 67 days, leaving students waiting for their classes to resume. Campus Reporter noted that this strike disrupted the university’s second semester exams scheduled for July.

Some students are willing to give the government more time to fix the issues. Others are unhappy about the protest cancellation. Simon Ezekiel, a 200-level Mass Communication student, said he was disappointed.

"Carrying myself to Akure from here, a two-hour journey, and not doing the protest was very provoking. We really got angry because that was why we went," he said.

Mr Ezekiel mentioned he would wait for two weeks to see if the governor keeps his promise. "Let us hold him to his word, and after the two weeks, if he does not do anything, then we can have the full courage to go back to Akure for the protest," he said.

Oyebamiji Olamiposi, a 200-level Medical Laboratory Science student, said the strike has hurt his studies and personal life. He believes the protest should not have been stopped.

"As a Medical Laboratory Science student, our training requires continuous learning, practical exposure and regular academic activities. The prolonged disruption has interrupted my academic momentum and made it difficult to maintain the same level of concentration and consistency in my studies," he said.

Another student, Oluwafemi Samuel, a final-year student of History and International Studies, said the strike has delayed his graduation plans. He hopes NANS's decision will bring quick results.

"Being a final-year student planning towards my final exams, this has affected me because it has caused a delay for me personally and academically," he said.

Adetomiwa Adegboro, a second-year Law student, said the NANS president may have acted well but questioned the decision to cancel the protest after two months of no action from the government.

"Protest is not war; it is a pressure tool. If students had protested, it would have communicated just how tired we are," he said.

Mr Adegboro also mentioned that the strike has made it hard for him to balance schoolwork with other activities, especially since he is still waiting for his promotional exams.