Indigenous students in tertiary institutions across Nasarawa State have appealed to lecturers in state-owned schools to suspend the ongoing industrial action and return to classrooms, warning that the prolonged strike is inflicting serious damage on students’ academic progress and future plans.
The appeal was made under the platform of the Nasarawa State Students Association (NASSA) following the indefinite strike declared by the Joint Unions of Nasarawa State Tertiary Institutions (JUNSTI) over the state government’s failure to fully implement the New National Minimum Wage as earlier agreed.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing in Lafia on Monday, the National President of NASSA, Abimiku David, said the students were increasingly worried that the shutdown of academic activities could derail the academic calendar and worsen the already fragile learning environment in the state’s tertiary institutions.
David acknowledged that the demands of the unions were legitimate, stressing that workers’ struggles for improved welfare and fair remuneration are constitutionally guaranteed. However, he urged lecturers to consider the ripple effects of the strike on students, whom he described as “the most vulnerable stakeholders in this dispute.”
“The struggle for improved welfare and fair remuneration for workers is just and constitutionally guaranteed; however, we are deeply concerned about the severe impact of this strike on students, who remain the most vulnerable and affected people in this situation,” David said.
He lamented that the prolonged halt in academic activities threatens students’ academic stability, graduation timelines, career plans, and long-term aspirations, noting that many students are already grappling with economic hardship and uncertainty.
According to him, students in Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic, Lafia; the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia; and the College of Education, Akwanga, are once again bearing the brunt of an industrial dispute over which they have no control.
Speaking further, the NASSA president appealed directly to members of JUNSTI to show compassion by suspending the strike while negotiations with the state government continue. “We respectfully appeal to our lecturers to consider the plight of students and allow dialogue to continue without shutting down the academic system,” he said.
At the same time, David called on the Nasarawa State Government to act swiftly and responsibly by addressing the demands of the unions. He warned that continued delays could further erode confidence in the state’s education system and undermine the future of thousands of young people.
“Education must not be held hostage to prolonged negotiations when solutions are achievable through sincere engagement. We believe industrial harmony is possible when all parties place the future of education and the welfare of students at the centre of their decisions,” he added.
David reaffirmed NASSA’s commitment to peaceful advocacy and constructive dialogue, stressing that the association would continue to engage all relevant stakeholders until academic activities are fully restored across the affected institutions.
He also expressed appreciation to the media for amplifying students’ voices, assuring the public that NASSA remains focused on protecting the interests of students throughout Nasarawa State.
It would be recalled that the Chairman of JUNSTI, Samson Gbande, had earlier explained that the union resorted to an indefinite strike after the state government failed to honour agreements reached on the implementation of the New National Minimum Wage. According to him, assurances were given that the new wage would take effect from November 2025, but “despite the union’s patience for over a year, these assurances have not translated into action.”
