By Innocent Anaba and Ajiboluwa Ouwamayowa
The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has appealed to the Kebbi State Government, the Governing Council and management of the Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Aliero, AFUSTA, as well as the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to embrace dialogue and avert a looming industrial action.
The appeal followed the issuance of a two-week ultimatum by ASUU-AFUSTA over unresolved welfare issues, with the union threatening to embark on strike if its demands are not addressed.
In a statement by the National Vice President (External Affairs), Sadiq Zango, NANS expressed concern over the development, warning that any disruption of academic activities would adversely affect students and the university’s academic calendar.
The association acknowledged the importance of addressing the welfare and professional concerns of lecturers, noting that the quality of higher education depends largely on a motivated academic workforce.
According to NANS, the issues raised by ASUU include the implementation of outstanding remuneration, payment of earned academic allowances, promotion exercises, annual salary increments, salary adjustments and other welfare commitments.
It described the demands as legitimate issues requiring urgent and responsible attention through constructive engagement.
The student body disclosed that its National Secretariat, through the Office of the National Vice President (External Affairs), had commenced consultations with the leadership of ASUU-AFUSTA and was engaging the university management as well as relevant officials of the Kebbi State government to facilitate dialogue aimed at resolving the dispute.
“NANS firmly believes that industrial harmony within our universities can only be sustained where communication remains open, agreements are respected, and genuine commitment exists on all sides to place the long-term interest of education above every other consideration,” the statement said.
The association called on all parties to exhaust every available avenue for an amicable settlement before any industrial action is declared.
It expressed concern that a strike at the institution would disrupt lectures, examinations, graduation schedules, research activities, professional accreditation exercises and the overall stability of the university’s academic calendar.
While recognising the constitutional right of labour unions to embark on industrial action, NANS stressed that every effort should be made to protect students from avoidable disruptions capable of undermining confidence in Nigeria’s higher education system.
The association also pledged its readiness to facilitate a high-level stakeholders’ meeting involving the Kebbi State Government, the university’s Governing Council, management, ASUU-AFUSTA and other relevant stakeholders to foster consensus and preserve industrial peace.
“Our appeal is simple and sincere: let dialogue prevail over confrontation; let collaboration triumph over conflict; and let the future of our students remain the overriding priority,” the statement added.
NANS said it would continue to monitor developments at the university, expressing optimism that the parties would resolve the issues in the interest of students and the advancement of higher education in Kebbi State.
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