ASUU Strike: Students Protest, Threaten To Shut Down Kwara

Students at the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) organized a peaceful rally on Tuesday to protest the Academic Staff Union of Universities’ ongoing strike action (ASUU).

If the meeting between ASUU and the federal government this week does not settle the continuing situation, the students have promised to extend their strike.

The students, who expressed their dissatisfaction with their protracted stay at home, demanded that the federal government satisfy ASUU’s requests so that they can finish their studies.

They stated that unless the strike is called off, they will not participate in the general elections.

Speaking with journalists, the President of Unilorin’s Students Union Government (SUG), Comrade Taofik Waliu, said the protest was aimed at creating awareness among stakeholders and members of the public over their sadness on the lingering ASUU strike, stressing that, “We are tired.”

He further said, “We want to graduate. The federal government should listen to ASUU’s demands. We hope that soon the ASUU strike will be a thing of the past; whereby hanging students can graduate.

“However, if nothing fruitful comes out after the meeting of the federal government and ASUU this week, we will move en masse continuously with students of 10 other educational institutions in the state to ground activities.”

Also speaking, the state Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Salman Yusuf Yisa, called on state governors to intervene, adding that the issue was beyond the federal government.

He said, “Our house rents have lapsed. Landlords have issued quit notices to many of us. Many 100-level students are yet to know their fate, yet JAMB is still conducting exams for new admission seekers. We want an end to this persistent strike action.’’