Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, has showered praise on the association's Joint Campus Committee (JCC) Chairman in Ondo State for his proactive intervention in the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the state. The commendation comes after the student leader's decision to organise a protest over the industrial action prompted the Ondo State Government to engage the students' leadership and announce significant concessions, including a 60 per cent increase in subvention to state-owned institutions and an agreement to implement the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement.
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, forcing students to bear the brunt of yet another disruption to their academic calendars. According to Afeez, the government subsequently invited the JCC leadership for a meeting, where it outlined its plans and appealed for more time to resolve the issues. The chairman agreed to give the government time to act following the engagement, and the government responded with significant commitments that have now led to the suspension of the planned protest.
What particularly impressed the NANS president was the Ondo JCC chairman's decision to act 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. The NANS president, who previously served as a JCC chairman himself, 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.
Afeez did not spare criticism for other JCC chairmen who, in his view, have failed 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. 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.
The intervention by the Ondo JCC chairman, identified as Comrade Adekanye Mayomi, came after ASUU commenced a strike in some state-owned institutions across Ondo State, raising concerns about the prolonged disruption of academic activities and the hardship being experienced by students. The student body had initially planned a statewide protest scheduled for Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in Akure, but the decision was suspended following what it described as positive intervention by the Ondo State Government.
According to a statement by the NANS-JCC Ondo leadership, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa had approved an immediate 60 per cent increase in the monthly subventions to all state-owned tertiary institutions in Ondo State. The association said the increase was expected to strengthen the institutions' capacity to meet their financial obligations, facilitate prompt payment of salaries and improve the overall learning environment. The governor also approved the immediate implementation of the agreement reached between the Federal Government and relevant university unions across all applicable state-owned tertiary institutions, describing the two measures as important steps towards addressing the welfare concerns of academic staff, restoring industrial harmony and creating an environment conducive to uninterrupted academic activities.
The student body welcomed the intervention by the state government and appreciated its willingness to engage with the student body, leading to the suspension of the planned protest. "Consequently, the planned protest scheduled for 18th August 2026 is hereby suspended," the association declared. However, NANS warned that the suspension should not be interpreted as a withdrawal of its demands or a relaxation of its vigilance, insisting that the resolutions announced by the government must be fully implemented without unnecessary delay, particularly the approved 60 per cent increase in subventions and the implementation of the FG/Unions agreement.
Afeez, who had earlier called on the association's local leaders to become more proactive in addressing challenges confronting students, concluded his remarks with a clarion call for action. "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 said.
The successful intervention in Ondo State stands as a testament to what student leadership can achieve when it acts decisively and engages constructively with government authorities. As Nigerian students continue to bear the brunt of recurrent industrial actions by university unions, the Ondo example offers a glimmer of hope that proactive engagement, rather than prolonged protests, can yield tangible results.
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