The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has called for dialogue to avert the planned industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, at the Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Aliero, AFUSTA, in Kebbi State.
The appeal followed the two-week ultimatum issued by ASUU-AFUSTA over unresolved welfare issues.
DAILY POST had earlier reported that the union threatened to embark on strike if its demands were not met before the expiration of the notice.
In a statement signed by its National Vice President (External Affairs), Sadiq Zango, NANS urged the Kebbi State Government, the university management and the union to resolve the dispute through dialogue to avoid disrupting academic activities.
The association acknowledged the lecturers’ concerns, including outstanding remuneration, earned academic allowances, promotion exercises, annual salary increments, salary adjustments and other outstanding entitlements.
According to NANS, it has commenced consultations with the leadership of ASUU-AFUSTA, the university management and relevant officials of the Kebbi State Government to facilitate a resolution of the dispute.
The student body urged all parties to exhaust every avenue for settlement, stressing that sustained communication and respect for agreements remain essential to industrial harmony in universities.
It warned that any industrial action would disrupt lectures, examinations, research activities, graduation schedules and other academic programmes, with adverse consequences for students and the institution.
NANS said it would continue to support efforts to resolve the dispute and expressed optimism that the issues would be settled through dialogue in the interest of students and higher education in Kebbi State.
NANS seeks dialogue over looming ASUU strike at Kebbi varsity