National student bodies in Nigeria, including the National Association of University Students (NAUS), the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) and the National Association of Nigerian College of Education Students (NANCES), has announced a joint mass protest to address the economic challenges facing the nation.
The students, in a joint statement, say the protests will start on Monday July 29 until their demands are met. The unions claim their previous overtures to engage the government in more constructive ways have not been accepted and they have no other choice but to resort to protests.
The statement signed by Comrade Obaji U. Marshal (NAUS), Comrade Eegunjobi Samuel Oluwaseun (NANCES), and Comrade Ridwan O. Munirudeen (NAPS), reads in part, “The leadership of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), in conjunction with the leadership of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), and the National Association Nigerian of College of Education Students (NANCES), extends sincere greetings to Nigerian Students covering the aforementioned bodies, as well as, its affiliated associations across the country.
“The purpose of this memo is to prepare the minds of Nigerian students across tertiary institutions in the country, on the collective decision made by the leadership of the aforementioned associations, after due and painstaking consultations on the way forward for Nigerian students.
“The present economic quagmire occasioned by the rising cost of living, hike in cost of commodities, hike in petroleum price, hike in electricity tariff, insecurity, poor funding of our institutions which presently affects more than 80% of the population in the country, is felt most by young Nigerians studying for various academic qualifications across tertiary institutions.
“This development has led to poor socioeconomic welfare for students, a loss of interest in academic activities and a fall in grades, an increase in crimes and criminality, and an increase in violence on campuses and their environs.
“Furthermore, the inability of federal, state and local governments to provide adequate immediate and long-term palliatives, especially for Nigerian students, to cushion the effect of the high cost of living, is rather disappointing and also raises the alarm of the student movement in the country, of a seeming lack of initiatives and ideas on the most effective approach to sustainable economic recovery and growth.
“Hence, the trio of NAUS, NAPS and NANCES, representing the voices of millions of Nigerian students emphatically condemns the lackadaisical attitude of the Government and declares a National Day of Protest for Nigerian students starting from Monday, July 29th, 2024, till further notice having communicated the government through various means including media but nothing has been done.”
