ASUU Strike: NANS, NAUS Meet, Threaten To Shut Down International Airports

The leaderships of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest (Zone D), and the National Association of University Students Southwest (NAUS), have met to discuss the prolonged strike by ASUU and the warning strike recently embarked on by ASUP.

In a press conference held on Wednesday, the associations expressed their dissatisfaction with the indifference of the government towards the striking lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).

In a statement made available to AllNews Nigeria, the association said the reason for the government's lack of concern is because the first-class citizens and their children are not affected by the strikes as against the aviation union's strike which was called off within 24 hours after a 2-day warning strike was embarked on.

"It is timely and urgent to address this press conference today to put an end to the long lingering strike action of ASUU and ASUP, and a total reformation of the educational sector. 

"The Leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students Southwest (Zone D) in conjunction with the National Association of University Students Southwest (NAUS) has taken it upon herself to categorically stand against the dilapidated state of the educational sector in Nigeria. 

"We are at a time when Nigerian Students have lost hope and do not know what's next on the radar.

"ASUU strike has been on for over 3 months without forgetting the ASUP warning strike of 2 weeks.

"We have also waited for a long to see if the Federal Government will dance to the music of Nigerian Students who have been clamoring to End the ASUU Strike but the reverse is the case.

"We’ve had several press conferences, granted several interviews, and held several meetings to plead with both ASUU and Federal Government.

"Our future is been jeopardised. We’re in a country where age is a key factor in the labour market. 

"Aviation unions gave a 2-day warning strike on shut down of flight operations.

"A meeting was scheduled by the Federal Government and strike action was called off in less than 24 hours because the first-class citizen would be affected.

"But it is so obvious that none of them is affected by ASUU/ASUP Strike.

"They have their children all over the world enjoying a smooth educational system. 

"On Monday, May 16th, 2022, the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris was arrested over alleged money laundering and diversion of public funds of at least N80 billion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

"Where is the integrity of the government preaching against corruption?

"How much of the public funds would have settled the educational sector and put an end to the yearly ASUU/ASUP Strike action?

"For so long, ASUU/ASUP strike has been ongoing and the Federal Government has not been showing concern through the Minister of Education," the associations said

NANS and NAUS said they have taken it upon themselves to save the education system from destruction, calling on Nigerian students shut down all international Airports in Nigeria.

"We are ready to take the bull by the horn as Nigerian students will not keep silent and watch our future being ruined by the prolonged ASUU/ASUP Strike.

"According to the Commandment of Solidarity, we’re on the last C’s of ALUTA which is Confrontation.

"This is the time to call on all Nigerian Students across all zones to come out in mass to take over all International airports in the country.

"Nigerian students are tired of the long-overdue strike action.

"The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students Southwest (Zone D) in conjunction with the National Association of University Students (NAUS) hereby declares a massive protest to shut down all International Airports in Nigeria.

"We must state categorically to the Federal Government that all activities shall be shut down by over twenty-two million five hundred and twenty-seven Nigerian students across Southwest Nigeria until ASUU/ASUP Strike is called off totally," they added.