The newly elected President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Sunday Asefon, has disclosed plans to engage representatives of the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on the need to arrive at compromise to ensure the resumption of full academic activities in tertiary institutions.
“NANS under my watch will not be complicit to such an unending strike and never again will Nigerian students have to stay home this long,” he said.
Asefon, who made the disclosure at a briefing in Abuja on Monday, expressed confidence in the proposed intervention, saying, “I am convinced that this high-level consultation will yield positive results and we will not have to resort to mobilising students to mount any protest to this ridiculously long stay at home.”
The NANS president also reiterated his leadership’s determination to put an end to cases of student leaders’ victimisation, saying cases of student leaders’ “arbitrary expulsion, suspension, and rustication of students for dissent and peaceful protest shall be met with stiff opposition.”
He added that his leadership would also be reaching out to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) so as to secure legal representation for “victimized students” across the country.
On the challenges of government’s non-fulfilment of scholarship obligations to students studying outside the country, Asefon said his administration will be reaching out to victims of such experiences and would engage with the relevant authorities for a lasting solution.
While appreciating all those who made his election possible, he pledged not to fail Nigerian students.
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