The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a five-day ultimatum to the Benue State Government to resolve its dispute with staff unions and reopen the state-owned tertiary institutions that have remained closed for more than two months.
The students’ body said it would mobilise students from across Nigeria to Benue State if the institutions are not reopened within the stipulated period.
NANS made its position known in a statement signed by the Deputy Senate President of its National Headquarters, Caleb King Ogabidu, on Tuesday.
The association identified five institutions affected by the prolonged shutdown as Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo; Akperan Orshi Polytechnic, Yandev, Gboko; Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Makurdi; Benue State College of Education, Oju; and the College of Education, Katsina-Ala.
According to the students’ body, the continued closure has disrupted the academic activities of thousands of students and requires urgent intervention by the state government.
NANS called on the Benue Government to resolve its outstanding disagreements with the state chapters of the Colleges of Agriculture and Allied Institutions Staff Union (COASU) and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).
The association also urged the government to conclude arrangements for students to return to their campuses without further delay.
NANS said failure by the government to reach an agreement with the unions and reopen the institutions within five working days would trigger a nationwide mobilisation.
The association said its members would converge on Makurdi on Friday, September 25, 2026, to stage a peaceful demonstration over the continued closure.
It also directed its various structures to begin preparations for the planned action while encouraging students in the affected institutions to remain calm and committed to the campaign for the resumption of academic activities.
The students’ body maintained that prolonged disruptions to education could have serious consequences for students whose academic programmes and graduation timelines are being affected.
NANS further appealed to the Benue State Government to treat the matter as a priority and engage the affected unions towards finding a resolution.
The development comes amid broader concerns in Nigeria over recurring disruptions in tertiary education, with student groups previously warning against prolonged closures and industrial disputes that leave students bearing the consequences.
For now, attention is on whether the Benue Government and the affected staff unions can reach an agreement within the five-day window set by NANS and facilitate the reopening of the institutions.
