The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has directed the suspension of a planned protest over the prolonged ASUU strike at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL) following reported progress from discussions between the Niger State Government, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the university management.
According to a statement by NANS National President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, the association was briefed by its Zonal Coordinator that a meeting convened by the Niger State Government to address the dispute had ended with an agreement considered satisfactory by the ASUU leadership.
The development could pave the way for the resumption of academic activities at the institution, although the final decision on the strike is expected to come from ASUU after its planned congress.
ASUU to Hold Congress on IBBUL Strike
The NANS President said ASUU representatives expressed satisfaction with the agreement reached with the university management during the intervention meeting.
The union is expected to convene a congress the following day to deliberate on the agreement and formally decide whether to call off the strike.
NANS therefore urged students to remain calm while awaiting official communication from ASUU on the outcome of the congress.
Until that process is completed, the statement does not present the strike as formally called off. The planned congress remains the next stated step in determining the union's position.
NANS Calls Off Planned Protest
Following the reported progress, the NANS National President directed the association's Zonal Coordinator to suspend the planned protest at IBBUL.
The Zonal Coordinator also indicated that he would visit the university the following day to monitor developments and determine whether the agreed process was moving forward as expected.
The decision means the planned student action will not proceed while the latest engagement between the relevant parties is being followed.
Niger State Government Commended for Intervention
NANS recognised the role of the Niger State Government in bringing the parties together to address the prolonged industrial dispute.
The association specifically appreciated the state government under the leadership of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for its intervention and engagement with ASUU and the university management.
The NANS statement attributed the recent progress partly to the government's willingness to participate in discussions aimed at resolving the situation and facilitating the return of students to their classrooms.
NANS Highlights Other ASUU Strike Developments
The development at IBBUL was presented as part of a series of recent engagements concerning ASUU strikes in state-owned universities.
NANS said it had previously recorded progress in Ondo State-owned universities, where the ASUU strike was resolved.
The association also reported an update concerning the strike in Benue State, stating that the parties involved had reached an agreement and that the industrial action was expected to be called off soon.
The latest development involving IBBUL was described by the association as another encouraging step towards resolving a prolonged disruption to students' academic activities.
Disagreement With IBBUL SUG Leadership
The NANS statement also contained criticism of the outgoing SUG President of IBBUL.
NANS expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as insufficient advocacy from the SUG leadership during the period of the prolonged strike, particularly regarding students' welfare and safety.
The association further said that after NANS mobilised students for the planned protest, a statement was issued asking students not to participate.
NANS maintained that its national leadership does not require approval from another student body before intervening when it considers students' education and welfare to be at stake.
The disagreement highlights differing positions among student representatives over the approach to resolving the dispute, with NANS favouring engagement and pressure on relevant authorities while the planned protest had been intended as part of that pressure.
Message to IBBUL Students
With the planned protest suspended and ASUU preparing for its congress, NANS called on students of the institution to remain calm and safe.
Students are expected to await official information concerning the outcome of the congress rather than rely on unconfirmed reports about the status of the strike.
The final decision on whether the industrial action has been formally called off is expected to follow ASUU's deliberation on the agreement reached during the government-led meeting.
What Happens Next?
The immediate next step is the ASUU congress, where the union is expected to consider the agreement reached with the university management.
The NANS Zonal Coordinator is also expected to visit IBBUL to monitor the situation and follow up on the implementation of the agreed process.
For students, the key development is that the planned protest has been suspended while discussions move into the next stage. However, the information provided by NANS does not state that academic activities have already resumed.
IBBUL students should therefore wait for formal communication on the outcome of the ASUU congress and any subsequent announcement concerning the resumption of academic activities.
Key Points at a Glance
| Development | Details |
|---|---|
| Institution | Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL) |
| Issue | Prolonged ASUU strike |
| Government intervention | Niger State Government convened a meeting with ASUU |
| ASUU's next step | Congress to deliberate on the agreement and formally decide on the strike |
| NANS action | Planned protest suspended |
| Follow-up | NANS Zonal Coordinator to visit the university |
| NANS President | Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez |
| Student guidance | Remain calm, stay safe and await official communication |
The latest development provides a possible path towards resolving the IBBUL ASUU strike, but the strike should not be regarded as formally ended until ASUU completes its congress and communicates its decision. Students and other stakeholders will therefore be watching for the official outcome and subsequent information on academic activities at the university.
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