The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a five-day ultimatum to the Benue State government to resolve its dispute with staff unions and reopen all closed tertiary institutions in the state. The affected institutions include Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo; Akperan Orshi Polytechnic, Yandev, Gboko; Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Makurdi; Benue State College of Education, Oju; and College of Education, Katsina-Ala. These institutions have been closed for over two months.
NANS accused the state government of negligence in the education sector, saying the situation was no longer tolerable. The association said education remains the bedrock of every society and should be the core priority of any responsible government. NANS directed the state government to immediately settle its outstanding disputes with the Benue State chapters of the Colleges of Agriculture and Allied Institutions Staff Union (COASU) and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).
The students’ body also called on Nigerian students in the affected schools to remain steadfast, assuring them that the NANS leadership is fully committed to ensuring their return to classrooms. NANS further directed all its structures to commence mobilization for a peaceful demonstration upon expiration of the ultimatum. The ultimatum was issued on Tuesday and is set to expire on Friday, September 25, 2026.
According to NANS, failure to reach an agreement and return students to their classrooms within five working days will leave the association with no option but to mobilize its members across the country to Makurdi to press home its demands. The association expressed concern that thousands of students have been out of school for over two months due to the government's negligence of education.
NANS described education as a right, not a privilege, and emphasized that the destinies of thousands of students should not be mortgaged on the altar of the government's insensitivity. The association's statement was signed by the Deputy Senate President, NANS National Headquarters, Caleb King Ogabidu.
The crisis in Benue State's education sector has been ongoing, with the state government yet to resolve its disputes with the staff unions. The situation has left students and parents worried, as the prolonged closure of the institutions continues to affect the academic calendar.
The ultimatum issued by NANS has given the Benue State government a limited timeframe to address the concerns of the students and staff unions. The government's response will determine whether the institutions will reopen soon or if the situation will escalate into a mass mobilization of students.
Key points
- NANS issues five-day ultimatum to Benue State government
- Affected institutions include Benue State Polytechnic and College of Education
- Government's negligence of education sector is no longer tolerable, says NANS
