The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resolve their ongoing disputes or face nationwide protests.

In a statement on Wednesday, NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, expressed concern over the lingering crisis, warning that continued disagreements could disrupt academic activities and destabilize the nation’s education calendar.

Oladoja noted that the education sector has enjoyed relative stability under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope administration, a feat he described as unprecedented since the return to democracy in 1999. He cautioned that the current impasse between the federal government and ASUU threatens this progress.

“We call on both parties to return to the negotiation table and find a lasting solution within seven days. Students who rely on academic loans cannot afford disruptions to their studies or prolonged years on campus,” Oladoja said.

The NANS president commended President Tinubu’s educational reforms, citing initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, removal of tertiary staff unions from IPPIS, reversal of the 40% IGR remittance policy, and special TETFund interventions as evidence of the administration’s commitment to education and student welfare.

However, Oladoja criticized the poor communication and delay in implementing previous agreements with ASUU, describing them as the root causes of recurring tensions.

“The recent threat of industrial action by ASUU is a major concern to Nigerian students nationwide. Despite the progress made, miscommunication and poor crisis management are now creating avoidable tension that threatens the peace and progress of the education sector,” he added.

Oladoja revealed that both parties had earlier declined to attend a government meeting due to procedural disagreements but assured that they are willing to reconvene once due process is followed.

“We urge the Federal Government to immediately reconvene the meeting to close the communication gap,” he stated.

Calling on President Tinubu to personally intervene, Oladoja warned that failure to act swiftly could erode the goodwill and stability achieved so far in the education sector.

“Nigerian students remain grateful and supportive of President Tinubu’s commitment to education. However, if this impasse continues beyond seven days, it will undermine the progress recorded under his administration. Now is the time for dialogue, understanding, and decisive action — the future of millions of Nigerian students depends on it,” he said.

Meanwhile, ASUU commenced a warning strike on Monday following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government to address its long-standing demands.

The lecturers’ demands include the implementation of the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, payment of withheld three-and-a-half months’ salaries, revitalization of public universities, and sustainable funding for tertiary institutions. Additional grievances involve settlement of 25–35% salary arrears, four years of promotion arrears, and the release of withheld cooperative deductions.

In response, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, directed university vice-chancellors to enforce the government’s “No Work, No Pay” policy for lecturers participating in the strike — a move that has stirred fresh controversy among university staff.

The ongoing strike has already halted examinations across several universities, leaving students and parents anxious about the future of academic activities in the country.

By Miracle Chidinma Amaechi

Nigerian organisations experienced 4,388 attacks per week in the first quarter of 2025, the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has said.

Fagbemi disclosed this at the Annual Cybercrimes Awareness Campaign and the second National Consultation on the Cybercrimes Legal Framework in Nigeria in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the awareness campaign was titled `Towards a Coordinated and Informed National Response to Cybercrime.

He said the cyberattacks represents a 47 per cent increase, ranking Nigeria fifth globally in cybercrime and costing about 500 million dollars each year.

“The same networks that empower our lives now serve as battlefields, with criminals using artificial intelligence and sophisticated tactics to deceive and disrupt.

“It defines the new frontier of justice in our time and underscores why we gather today to strengthen our resolve, refine our strategies, and chart a united, informed national response.

“Our theme is not just a slogan; it is a national imperative as the digital domain has become the new battlefield of economic survival, public trust, and national security’’.

The minister reiterated that Nigeria must not stand as a passive observer in this war without borders.

“We must be strategic, coordinated, and relentless since the scale of cybercrime is now a trillion-dollar threat to the global economy.

“INTERPOL’s 2023 Africa Cybercrime Assessment ranked Nigeria among the top ten countries targeted by business email compromise, online fraud, and sextortion.

“These crimes erode public confidence, deter investment, and weaken the digital foundations upon which our future prosperity depends.

“For a nation positioning itself as Africa’s digital hub, this is not merely a criminal justice issue; it is an existential development challenge,’’ he added.

He noted that Nigeria has been deliberate and evolving in its response to the issues of cyberattacks and promised not to relent.

“Through national consultations, we are shaping twin bills: one focused on cybercrime as a criminal justice instrument, and another on cybersecurity governance and critical infrastructure protection.

“Together, they will establish a robust, modern legal architecture that reflects global best practices.

“These practices must align with the Budapest Convention and the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime (2024), and ensures that Nigeria’s digital sovereignty is protected under the rule of law’’.

He therefore called for institutional coordination and partnerships, adding that tackling cybercrime is not a challenge that can be outsourced or postponed.

He promised that the ministry will continue to drive reform, coordination, and accountability across the justice sector, ensuring that our legal tools match the complexity of the digital age.

“Let us move from awareness to action, from consultation to implementation, and from fragmented effort to national coherence,’’ he advised.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Beatrice Jeddy-Agba during her welcome address admonished all stakeholders to build momentum in the fight against Cybercrime.

“This implies that all of us, across different institutions and sectors, must work hand in hand, our strategies guided by data, knowledge, and best practices.

“As Nigeria becomes more digitally connected, cybercriminals have unfortunately become more sophisticated.

“We have seen a surge in online fraud, identity theft, hacking incidents, and other cyber-enabled crimes that threaten individuals, businesses, and even national security.

“It is our shared duty as leaders and stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s cyberspace remains a space of opportunity, trust, and growth, not one of fear or exploitation’’.

Present at the event were representatives from the National Assembly, Law Enforcement Agencies, Regulators, the Judiciary and UNODC.

Others were the Private Tech Actors, the Academia, the EU, and Civil Society and the diplomatic corps.