NANS threatens nationwide protest over closure of Benue tertiary institutions

The National Association of Nigerian Students has given the Benue State Government five working days to resolve disputes that have kept several state-owned tertiary institutions closed for more than two months.

NANS said failure to reopen the institutions could trigger nationwide mobilisation and a peaceful demonstration in Makurdi.

The ultimatum was contained in a public notice signed by NANS Deputy Senate President Caleb King Ogabidu.

The students’ body said affected institutions have remained shut because of disputes involving the state chapters of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics.

NANS said students had already spent more than two months away from classrooms and described the situation as damaging to their academic future.

The affected institutions listed by NANS include:

• Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo
• Akpereshi Polytechnic, Yandev, Gboko
• Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Makurdi
• Benue State College of Education, Oju
• College of Education, Katsina-Ala

The association directed its structures to begin mobilising for a peaceful protest in Makurdi on September 25 if the dispute remains unresolved.

NANS also called on the Benue State Government to conclude negotiations with the affected unions and restore normal academic activities