The newly elected President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Umar Farouk, yesterday told the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that it was high time it called off its ongoing strike and students allowed to resume studies.
Farouk, who said he had already opened talks with the leadership of ASUU to find a lasting solution to the lecturers’ demands, said he would also reach out to government on the way out of the stalemate.
The ASUU strike entered its 202nd day today.
The NANS president promised that his tenure would bring about an enduring resolution of the perennial misunderstanding between government and unions in the universities.
He spoke to reporters in Abuja.
“It is time for our students to return to school. I have met with the leadership of ASUU and we are going to ensure that we meet with the government and ensure that our students return to school,” he said.
“We will ensure that we visit the Ministry of Education to know what is going on. We will also ensure that ASUU comes back to the negotiation table.”
He expressed gratitude to his fellow students who voted him into office, declaring that NANS would witness a new dawn and “will no longer be used as a tool.”
Asked about the parallel election which produced Usman Umar as factional NANS president, Farouk said: “Out of the 310 delegates that voted at the recognised election venue at the Old Parade grounds, 202 voted for me. Nigerian students recognise me as the president; I don’t know about others.”
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