As Nigeria marks its 65th independence anniversary, the Corpers’ Journey Advocacy Network (CJAN) has urged the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end their prolonged disagreements, warning that repeated industrial actions in universities pose long-term dangers to students’ future and employability.
The group said while it appreciates the government’s efforts to strengthen development in several sectors, the recurring crisis in education threatens to undermine such progress if not resolved urgently.
Speaking in a statement on Tuesday, the Managing Director of CJAN, Taiwo Ajayi, noted that prolonged strikes disrupt academic calendars, delay graduations, and expose students to unfair disadvantages in the labour market.
“Each strike extends students’ time in school, pushing them beyond the age limits often required for job opportunities in the private sector. This places thousands of young Nigerians at risk of being excluded from employment simply because their education was disrupted by no fault of theirs,” Ajayi said.
He explained that many Nigerian employers place strict age restrictions on recruitment, making delays in graduation a direct threat to young people’s career prospects and employability. According to him, this could leave the country with a frustrated generation of graduates who struggle to compete fairly in the job market.
CJAN also highlighted the wider impacts of frequent academic stoppages, including stalled research, additional costs for students and families, and damage to student morale and wellbeing. The group warned that these challenges risk eroding trust in public institutions and diminishing confidence in Nigeria’s education system.
Ajayi acknowledged that ASUU’s demands often reflect genuine concerns about funding, conditions of service, and university autonomy, while urging the government to demonstrate commitment through timely funding, transparent handling of entitlements, and practical solutions.
The advocacy group proposed that both sides return to the negotiating table with a time-bound plan and publish a resumption roadmap within two weeks. It also suggested the inclusion of students, corps members, civil society, and the National Universities Commission in monitoring the implementation of agreements.
CJAN further called on the Federal Government to collaborate with private employers and relevant agencies to adopt safeguards for graduates affected by strike-related delays. Such measures, it argued, could include adjustments to age-based hiring rules and special recruitment cycles for affected cohorts.
On long-term reforms, the group recommended predictable multi-year funding for tertiary institutions, modernised collective bargaining processes, and stronger investment in digital learning to reduce the scale of disruption during future disputes.
“As we celebrate 65 years of nationhood, we must ask if our independence is truly reflected in the opportunities we give our young people,” Ajayi said. “Education is the bedrock of growth, and resolving the ASUU–government impasse will not only safeguard the future of our students but also strengthen Nigeria’s development.”
