…seeks dialogue to prevent disruption of examinations

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions, ASURI, to suspend any planned industrial action in all Federal Colleges of Forestry nationwide in the interest of students.

NANS made the appeal in a statement signed by its National Financial Secretary, John Alao , on behalf of NANS President, Babatunde Akinteye.

NANS in the statement stated that the appeal is directed to ASURI chapters at the Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan, Oyo State; Federal College of Forestry, Jos, Plateau State; Federal College of Wildlife Management, New Bussa, Niger State; Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna State; and Federal Colleges of Forest Resources Management in Fugar, Edo State; Ishiagu, Ebonyi State; and Maiduguri, Borno State.

NANS acknowledged the right of workers to demand better welfare but urged ASURI to consider the timing, noting that examinations are either about to commence or have already been scheduled across the affected institutions.

The association said thousands of students have spent months attending lectures, carrying out practicals, fieldwork and continuous assessments, with many parents making financial sacrifices to keep them in school.

NANS warned that delayed examinations would lead to prolonged academic sessions, increased accommodation and feeding costs, disruption of industrial attachment, delays in graduation, and uncertainty about career plans.

The student body called on the Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Environment, and management of the affected institutions to urgently engage ASURI to resolve all outstanding issues amicably.

It added that while negotiations should continue, examinations and other critical academic…