NANS urges Nasarawa govt to resolve varsity strike

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has appealed to the Nasarawa State Government to clear outstanding staff entitlements at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, NSUK, as part of efforts to end the prolonged strike at the institution.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, chapter of NSUK commenced an indefinite and comprehensive strike on August 10 over unpaid entitlements reportedly running into billions of naira.

Speaking on Tuesday during a meeting with the university management led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sa’adatu Liman, NANS National Treasurer, Idris Asmawu Omeiza, urged the government to act swiftly to resolve the financial dispute and allow students to return to their classrooms.

“We call on the Government of Nasarawa State, as a matter of urgency, to intervene and settle the outstanding arrears owed to university staff in order to facilitate the resolution of the industrial dispute and enable students to return to campus,” Omeiza said.

She acknowledged the growing frustration among students following the disruption of academic activities but appealed to them to remain peaceful and allow ongoing consultations to yield results.

The meeting was convened after the Vice-Chancellor sought NANS’ intervention to calm students and discourage a planned protest over the continued closure of academic activities.

Liman told the student leaders that the university management and ASUU had reached an understanding on how the outstanding arrears would be addressed, expressing hope that the state government would fulfil its financial obligations.

“Efforts will be intensified to ensure that students are called back to campus to resume academic activities and continue their session. I appeal to students to remain patient and embrace dialogue while the issues are being resolved,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

Omeiza, who said she was a product of NSUK, assured the university management that NANS would continue to pursue dialogue rather than actions capable of putting students at risk.

She cited the association’s “Three Cs” approach — Consultation, Consolidation and Communication before Confrontation — as its preferred path to resolving disputes.

“As a product of Nasarawa State University, I remain deeply concerned about the welfare, safety and academic progress of students. I will not support any action that unnecessarily puts them at risk,” she said.

The NANS official also commended Liman for what she described as developmental efforts at the university and for maintaining an environment conducive to learning.

Security officials at the meeting also appealed for restraint. The Divisional Police Officer of Angwan Lambu Police Station advised students to pursue their grievances through peaceful and lawful channels.

Similarly, the Director of the Department of State Services, Keffi, cautioned student leaders to consider the security risks associated with large gatherings and guard against attempts by individuals with ulterior motives to hijack legitimate grievances.

Omeiza attended the engagement alongside other student stakeholders from across Nasarawa State.