The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to reconsider its planned strike over the delayed payment of June salaries.

In a statement signed by the association’s Vice President for Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs, Felicia Akinbodunse, NANS urged ASUU to avoid disrupting the stable academic calendar universities have maintained for the past two years.

This follows ASUU’s confirmation on Monday that it had directed all branches nationwide to suspend academic activities in protest over the delayed June salary payments. The union cited the enforcement of its long-standing “No Pay, No Work” policy.

ASUU chapters at the University of Jos and University of Abuja have already begun strike action in line with the directive. ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, told journalists that the action aligns with the resolution of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC), which mandates members to withdraw services if salaries are delayed beyond three days.

In her appeal, Akinbodunse urged ASUU to consider the impact on students, stating they are always the most affected during strikes.

She called on ASUU to engage the federal government in dialogue rather than resorting to industrial action. Akinbodunse noted that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, strikes by the union have reduced significantly, allowing students to enjoy uninterrupted academic sessions.

Expressing optimism that dialogue would resolve the issue, she added that any disruption to the academic calendar would place additional strain on students and their families, especially in the current economic climate.

She also urged the federal government to address the salary delay and implement a lasting solution to prevent future disruptions.