NANS President Commends Ondo JCC Chairman Over ASUU Strike Protest

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, has commended the association’s Joint Campus Committee (JCC) Chairman in Ondo State for intervening in the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the state.

Afeez said the chairman’s decision to organise a protest over the industrial action prompted the Ondo State Government to engage the students’ leadership and explain measures being taken to address their concerns.

In a statement via X, the NANS president said the JCC chairman took up the matter after ASUU commenced a strike in some institutions across the state.

According to him, the government subsequently invited the JCC leadership for a meeting, where it outlined its plans and appealed for more time to resolve the issues.

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He said the chairman agreed to give the government time to act following the engagement.

Afeez added that the government subsequently announced a 60 per cent increase in subvention to state-owned institutions and agreed to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement.

The NANS president particularly praised the Ondo JCC chairman for acting without waiting for directives from the zonal or national leadership of the association.

“What is particularly commendable is that the Chairman did not wait for the Zone or National leadership to take the first step before acting. He understood the responsibility that came with his office and acted within his jurisdiction,” Afeez said.

He criticised some JCC chairmen for failing to use their positions to address challenges affecting students in their respective jurisdictions.

“Today, ASUU is on strike in several states, many students are facing different challenges with NELFUND, yet unfortunately, some JCC Chairmen have become SUEGBE, occupying offices for decoration rather than using the enormous capacity attached to their positions,” he said.

Afeez, who said he previously served as a JCC chairman, stressed that the position provides an opportunity to engage governments, institutions and other stakeholders on issues affecting students.

“I was once a JCC Chairman, and I understand the capacity embedded in that office. A JCC Chairman has the ability to engage governments, institutions and other stakeholders and bring about meaningful change when the office is used effectively,” he said.

He urged other JCC chairmen to take greater responsibility for issues within their jurisdictions rather than waiting for instructions from higher levels of the students’ body.

“Leadership is not about waiting for instructions all the time. Sometimes, leadership means identifying a problem within your jurisdiction, taking responsibility, engaging the relevant authorities and finding solutions,” Afeez said.

He called on the association’s local leaders to become more proactive in addressing challenges confronting students.

“I sincerely hope our JCC Chairmen wake up from their sleep and begin to make the offices they occupy count. The students need action. The time to lead is now,” he added.