Students of state owned universities in Ondo State have suspended plans for a major protest over the prolonged industrial action affecting academic activities across the institutions, while giving Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa a 14 day ultimatum to address the situation.
The students, under the umbrella of the National Association of Nigerian Students Joint Campus Committee, reportedly decided to shelve the planned mass action after engaging with relevant stakeholders and considering assurances that efforts would be made to resolve the crisis.
The students are demanding an urgent end to the strike, which has disrupted academic activities and left thousands of undergraduates uncertain about when normal lectures and other university programmes will resume...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The affected institutions include Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, and the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo. The prolonged disruption has raised concerns among students over delayed academic calendars, examinations, graduation plans and other activities connected to their education.
The student leaders said their decision to suspend the planned protest should not be interpreted as an abandonment of their demands. Instead, they described the 14 day period as an opportunity for the state government to demonstrate its commitment to resolving the issues responsible for the strike.
The students are calling on Governor Aiyedatiwa to intervene directly and ensure that the dispute between the government and the affected university workers is resolved as quickly as possible. They believe a lasting solution is necessary to prevent further disruption to the education of students across the state.
The development follows earlier expressions of frustration from students who have complained about the impact of the strike on their academic progress. Some students have reportedly been forced to remain away from their campuses, while others have faced uncertainty over accommodation, examinations and resumption dates.
Student representatives have maintained that their concerns are centred on the need for a functional academic environment and a quick resolution of the dispute. They have also indicated that they are prepared to take further lawful action if the government fails to meet their expectations within the period given.
The decision to suspend the protest therefore provides the Ondo State Government with a window to engage with the relevant university authorities and unions and work towards resolving the outstanding issues.
The students are expected to closely monitor developments during the 14 day period. If no satisfactory resolution is reached before the expiration of the ultimatum, the planned mass protest could be reconsidered.
The situation has placed additional pressure on the state government to find a solution that will allow academic activities to resume and prevent further disruption to thousands of students whose education has already been affected by the industrial action.
For the students, the immediate priority remains the restoration of normal academic activities, the protection of their educational interests and the avoidance of further delays to their academic programmes. The coming days will therefore be crucial as the government works to address the concerns and prevent the situation from escalating into another round of student protests.
