Students of state-owned universities in Ondo State, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Students Joint Campus Committee (NANS-JCC), have given Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa a 14-day ultimatum to resolve the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other workers’ unions.
The students warned that failure to resolve the industrial dispute within the stipulated period would lead to renewed protests and possible disruption of activities across the state.
The NANS-JCC Chairman in Ondo State, Mayomi Adeboye, issued the ultimatum on Monday in Akure while addressing journalists after the students suspended a planned protest following intervention by the national leadership of NANS.
The students had gathered in Akure to protest the prolonged disruption of academic activities in state-owned universities, particularly the over two-month strike at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), and the industrial action at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo.
Adeboye said the decision to suspend the protest followed an appeal from the NANS national president, who informed the students that Governor Aiyedatiwa had indicated that efforts were underway to address the demands of ASUU, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and other unions.
He said the students consequently agreed to give the state government two weeks to resolve the issues and facilitate the resumption of academic activities.
According to him, students were bearing the consequences of a dispute between the government and workers’ unions despite having no role in the disagreement.
“We want to use this medium to beg and implore the Ondo State governor to please put the interest of the students at heart. We have been home for too long,” Adeboye said.
He disclosed that some students had lost significant opportunities as a result of the prolonged disruption, citing the case of a student who allegedly lost a $67,000 scholarship opportunity because his university was not in session.
“Akungba has been on strike for over two months now. UNIMED, one month. So we are affected,” he said.
Adeboye warned that the students would resume protests if the strike was not resolved within the 14-day ultimatum.
He further said the NANS national leadership could direct its structures across the country to relocate their secretariats to Ondo State in solidarity with the affected students and mobilise for a statewide protest.
Students seek urgent resolution
The President of the AAUA Students’ Union, Folagbade Ayoola, described the prolonged strike as unbearable, saying students had stayed at home for too long over an issue beyond their control.
Similarly, the President of the UNIMED Students’ Union, Adekunle Samuel, said the students had demonstrated their willingness to resolve the dispute through dialogue by suspending the planned protest.
The students are now awaiting action from the state government before the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum.
Download our Mobile App for easy access
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edutvmobile.ng&hl=en
Mobile App Lite
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edutvng.lite
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edutvmobile.ng&hl=en
Follow us on Youtube
https://youtube.com/@edutvnigeria
Follow us on LinkedIn -
https://ng.linkedin.com/company/edutvnigeria
Follow us on Instagram
https://instagram.com/edutvnigeria
Follow us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/edutvnigeria
