Nasarawa students appeal to lecturers to end strike

The Nasarawa State Students Association (NASSA) has appealed to lecturers in state-owned tertiary institutions to call off their ongoing strike so that academic activities can resume.

The strike was declared by the Joint Unions of Nasarawa State Tertiary Institutions (JUNSTI) over the state government’s alleged failure to fully implement the new national minimum wage as earlier agreed.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lafia on Monday, NASSA National President, Abimiku David, said the association understands the lecturers’ demands but urged them to return to the classrooms while negotiations with the government continue.

He warned that the prolonged shutdown is disrupting students’ academic progress, graduation timelines, and career plans, stressing that students are “the most affected” despite not being part of the dispute.

David noted that students of Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic, Lafia; College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia; and College of Education, Akwanga, are bearing the brunt of the industrial action.

He appealed to JUNSTI to suspend the strike and asked the state government to urgently address the lecturers’ concerns, saying education should not be stalled when dialogue can provide solutions.

NASSA pledged to continue peaceful engagement with all stakeholders until schools fully reopen.

JUNSTI chairman, Samson Gbande, had earlier explained that the strike followed the government’s failure to implement the new minimum wage as promised since November 2025, despite repeated assurances.