The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a five-day ultimatum to the Benue State Government to resolve its disputes with the state chapters of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COASU) and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and reopen tertiary institutions across the state.
NANS, in a public notice signed by its Deputy Senate President, Caleb King Ogabidu, said students in the affected institutions had been out of school for more than two months.
The students’ body described the prolonged closure as unacceptable, warning that the continued disruption of academic activities could affect the educational future of thousands of students.
NANS directed its structures to begin mobilisation for a peaceful protest in Makurdi, the state capital, on Friday, September 25, 2026, if the government fails to resolve the dispute and return students to their classrooms within five working days.
In the notice titled, “Notice of Mass Mobilisation to Makurdi, Benue State — Friday 25th, September 2026 Over the Perpetual Closure of Tertiary Institutions in the State,” the association blamed the prolonged closure on what it described as government negligence of education.
The association stressed that education remained fundamental to societal development and should be a priority for any responsible government.
NANS said its intervention was necessary because, as the apex body representing Nigerian students, it had a responsibility to protect and advocate for the interests and rights of students.
The association demanded that the Benue State Government settle its outstanding disputes with the state chapters of COASU and ASUP and conclude arrangements to reintegrate affected students into their classrooms.
NANS warned that failure to reach an agreement with the unions and reopen the institutions within five working days would lead to nationwide mobilisation of its members.
It said the academic future of thousands of students should not be compromised because of the unresolved dispute, urging the government to act before the expiration of the ultimatum.
The institutions identified as affected by the prolonged closure include Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo; Akpereshi Polytechnic, Yandev, Gboko; Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Makurdi; Benue State College of Education, Oju; and College of Education, Katsina-Ala.
NANS urged students in the affected institutions to remain calm and steadfast, assuring them that its leadership was committed to securing their return to the classrooms.
The association also directed all its structures to commence mobilisation for a peaceful demonstration in Makurdi if the government fails to resolve the dispute before the deadline.
