..Warns SSANU Western Zone against Industrial Action Threat
Angered by the threat issued by the National Vice President, Western Zone of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Abdussobur Olayiwola Salaam, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone, has vowed to resist any act capable of disrupting the smooth academic calendar of the University.
SSANU Western zone on Thursday rejected the decisions of Governing Council of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti FUOYE on the allegation of sexual harassment leveled against Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, Vice-Chancellor of the University. Salaam threatened to visit FUOYE campus with a mother of all protest that would consist of SSANU members from 26 Universities.
Reacting to Salaam’s threat in a statement co-signed by Excos of NANS South West zone D, who are Comrade Owolewa Taiwo S, Coordinator, NANS Southwest, Comrade Oluwole Olutunde A., General Secretary, Comrade Kuku Isaiah Eromidayo and Public Relations Officer, warned Salaam and his team to perish the thought of disrupting academic activities in FUOYE.
The statement further reads in part:
“The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone, under the stewardship of Comrade Owolewa Taiwo, hereby issues this statement to unequivocally denounce and reject, in its entirety, the recent press release issued by the Western Zone of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), concerning the internal affairs of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).
“As the legitimate and authoritative voice of Nigerian students in the Southwest, we declare—without reservation—that we will not fold our arms and watch any individual or group, whether union-affiliated or otherwise, attempts to plunge our institution into disorder or jeopardise an academic calendar that impacts the future of over 50,000 students at FUOYE.
We are fully aware of SSANU’s thinly veiled threat to mobilise its members across 26 universities in the Western Zone for industrial action or protest at FUOYE. Let it be known: Nigerian students—and the entire NANS structure in the Southwest and beyond—will respond with even greater mobilisation across our more than 70 tertiary institutions, comprising over 300,000 students.
This is not a threat—it is a declaration of our unwavering readiness to safeguard the academic future of Nigerian students.*
We must remind SSANU that during its previous disruptive protest, when essential services on the FUOYE campus were halted, we suffered a tragic and irreparable loss—a bright and promising student passed away due to the closure of the University Health Centre, which denied access to emergency medical care. We say: NEVER AGAIN.
As the umbrella body representing all Nigerian students both at home and abroad, NANS remains committed to defending students’ rights and welfare, and to ensuring a peaceful academic environment free from undue political interference and self-serving interests masquerading as activism.
Let it be categorically stated: FUOYE—or any institution within the Southwest—must never be turned into a battleground for political vendettas or union showdowns. Any attempt to exploit our campuses for score-settling or incite chaos will be met with firm, lawful, and resolute resistance by the student community.
We call upon all relevant stakeholders to intervene promptly and decisively to preserve the peace and stability of FUOYE and other institutions. While we stand for dialogue, fairness, and justice, we shall not permit the future of Nigerian students to be imperilled under the guise of unionism.
Furthermore, we urge SSANU to channel its grievances through appropriate legal and administrative means rather than resorting to disruptive actions with the potential to deepen existing tensions.
Let the record reflect: NANS stands firmly against harassment, oppression, or any form of abuse. However, justice must be pursued through responsible and constructive engagement that does not compromise the well-being of innocent students or the integrity of academic institutions.
Our appeal is clear: Let us preserve our campuses, protect our students, and safeguard the future of our nation.
An injury to one student is an injury to all.
