The National Association of Nigerian Students, South-West zone, on Monday, announced the commencement of a protest on the Lagos-Shagamu Expressway.

According to the association, the protest was organised as a result of the lingering strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The body also noted that it passed a vote of no confidence on the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, and his education counterpart, Adamu Adamu.

A statement by the Coordinator of NANS, South-West zone, Adegboye Olatunji, partly read, “For over six months, ASUU has been on strike, thereby, paralysing academic activities on campus. Unfortunately, the Federal Government has been inconsiderate to the feelings of Nigerian students which shows that the academic pursuit of students is of no relevance to this administration.

“It beats logic that government sets up new universities but downplays the welfare of the teachers resulting in the shutdown of universities stretching into over six months with no end in sight. A fortnight ago, a university lecturer committed suicide all because of the failure of government to prioritise his wellbeing leaving behind three kids. The question is, what would be the fate of the kids he left behind?

“Since the inception of this administration, we have seen how meagre sum is allocated to the educational sector. We have seen how the Minister of Labour and his education counterpart have been locking horns with members of ASUU over this prolonged strike with no meaningful end in sight. In all these, the Senate Committee on Tertiary education is lost.

“It is based on the foregoing that we declare a protest against the prolonged ASUU strike which has ultimately affected the progress of Nigerian students for the past six months. And, we also pass a vote-of-no confidence on the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige and Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu.

“The protest shall be held simultaneously till the strike action is resolved. Convergence point: Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Sagamu Interchange),” the statement added. (The PUNCH)

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