Yet another stalemate, as the meeting between the Federal Government and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) over the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) ended in a deadlock on Monday, despite the students peaceful protest in Abuja.
Prior to the meeting the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, led by the National President Sunday Asefon, had staged a peaceful protest in Abuja with a view to appealing to both sides; the federal government and ASUU to sheathe their swords and end the strike in the interest ofeveryone.
The students marched from the Unity Fountain to the National Assembly before converging at the Ministry of Education.
Chants of “open the gate” filled the air when they were initially barred from entering the ministry’s premises.
“We are not here to fight. We are here to meet the minister of education,” Asefon declared.
The students were eventually allowed to meet the minister, Adamu Adamu.
Addressing the press after the meeting, Asefon disclosed that the minister walked out on them.
However, the minister on his part explained that “the only point they (NANS) made that is worthy of attention is that students should be involved in the discussions between government and ASUU”.
Meanwhile, three other university based union have threatened join the strike in solidarity with ASUU, promising a total shutdown of universities in the country, if federal government refuses to implement signed agreements.
The university based unions are: The National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU.
The federal government still adamant is in denial saying through the minister of labour, Chris Ngige, that the union was yet to communicate their intention to embark on a strike to his ministry.