The leadership of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), and the National Association of Nigerian College of Education Students (NANCES) have announced plans for a nationwide protest beginning Monday, July 29, 2024.
The protest, termed “National Day of Protest for Nigerian Students,” aims to draw the Federal Government’s attention to the severe hardships faced by Nigerian students in tertiary institutions amidst the ongoing economic crisis.
In a joint statement signed by the leaders of the three associations, the students expressed their frustration over the government’s failure to address their issues despite numerous pleas.
“After extensive and thorough consultations on the way forward for Nigerian students in tertiary institutions, we have resolved to embark on a nationwide protest to express our grievances and demand immediate action from the Federal Government,” the statement reads.
The students are demanding that the government take concrete steps to alleviate their suffering, including providing adequate funding for education, reducing school fees, and ensuring basic amenities in schools.
The protest is expected to occur in major cities across the country, with participation from students of various tertiary institutions.
The leaders of the associations urged all Nigerian students to join the protest and make their voices heard. “We must stand together to demand our rights and a better future for ourselves and generations to come,” they said.
The statement also criticized the government’s indifferent attitude towards the current hardships. “The trio of NAUS, NAPS, and NANCES frown at the government’s ‘I don’t care’ attitude towards reducing the current hardship,” the students noted.
“We extend our sincere greetings to Nigerian students covering the aforementioned bodies and its affiliated associations across the country,” the statement reads in part. “The purpose of this memo is to prepare the minds of Nigerian students across tertiary institutions on the collective decision made by the leadership of the aforementioned associations, after extensive and thorough consultations on the way forward for Nigerian students.”
The students highlighted the current economic challenges, including the rising cost of living, increased prices of commodities, higher petroleum prices, and hikes in electricity tariffs, which they say are felt most acutely by young Nigerians studying for various academic qualifications. These issues have led to poor socio-economic welfare for students, a loss of interest in academic activities, declining grades, increased crime, and violence on campuses and their environs.
Furthermore, the students expressed disappointment over the federal, state, and local governments’ inability to provide adequate immediate and long-term palliatives to cushion the effects of the high cost of living. This situation raises concerns about the lack of initiatives and ideas for sustainable economic recovery and growth.
The joint statement declared: “The trio of NAUS, NAPS, and NANCES, representing the voices of millions of Nigerian students, emphatically condemn the lackadaisical attitude of the government and declare a National Day of Protest for Nigerian Students starting from Monday, July 29, 2024, until further notice. This follows our attempts to communicate with the government through various means, including the media, which have been ignored.”
“This protest is to exercise our right and drive home our demands to the Federal and state governments, influencing innovation, conceptualization, and implementation of plans to alleviate the hardships suffered by Nigerian students.”
The leadership of NAUS, NAPS, and NANCES has called on all Nigerian students to prepare for the National Day of Protest and urged student union officials to stay in touch with their respective associations for updates on the protest, noting that security agencies will be notified.
