ASUU strike: “The Federal Government has jeopardised and bastardised the fundamental human right of the Nigerian students.”– NANS

By Konyinsola Dawodu

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has criticised the Federal Government for the ongoing seven-month-long strike embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

NANS said the strike has endangered the fundamental human right of Nigerian students, with regard to access to education.

Comrade Olusesi Tolulope Samson, Lagos NANS chairman, disclosed this on Arise TV morning show on Tuesday while fielding questions on the students’ protest at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday.

He said that the strike has affected the future of their members, noting that some male students have become mechanics; some learning printing works; while some female students have got pregnant.

“The Federal Government has jeopardised and bastardised the fundamental human right of the Nigerian students. Some came to the protest yesterday with their ID cards, learning mechanics now. Some are learning printing works, while some female students are pregnant,” he said.

He noted that the protest staged at the airport was to alert the international community that something has been going wrong in Nigeria concerning education.

The student leader said their demand was for the universities to be reopened, adding that the students have been keeping their fingers crossed on what would be the outcome of a proposed meeting between the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the leadership of ASUU.