The National Association of University Students (NAUS) has called for the immediate removal of the Managing Directors of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) over the persistent power outages crippling university campuses nationwide.
In a statement signed by Comrade Meshach Anthony Nwankwo, NAUS National Deputy President (National and Campus Affairs), the association condemned the incompetence of TCN’s Engr. Dr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz and NERC’s Engr. Sanusi Garba, citing their failure to maintain a stable power supply and effectively manage the national grid.
“The recent collapse of the national grid on multiple occasions is unacceptable,” Nwankwo stated. “Students are suffering, and our education is being compromised due to the ineptitude of these officials.”
The power outages have severely disrupted academic schedules, preventing practical classes and diminishing the overall quality of education. Additionally, businesses reliant on electricity have suffered significant losses due to the unreliable power supply.
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NAUS argued that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent dismissal of several Federal Ministers for underperformance sets a precedent for holding public officials accountable. NAUS demands the same standards be applied to Abdulaziz and Garba.
“If no action is taken within the next five working days, we will mobilize nationwide protests to express our dissatisfaction and demand necessary changes,” Nwankwo warned.
NAUS’s ultimatum has sparked widespread support among students, who are determined to hold officials accountable for their failures.
The protests promise to bring attention to the nation’s electricity crisis and push for tangible solutions.
The association emphasized that the power sector’s inefficiencies have far-reaching implications, affecting not only students but also the broader economy and societal development. “It is unacceptable that Nigeria, with its vast resources, continues to struggle with basic electricity supply,” Nwankwo added.
NAUS has mobilized its chapters across the country, rallying students to join the planned protests.
The association has also reached out to civil society organizations, labor unions, and other stakeholders to amplify the call for accountability.
As the five-day ultimatum ticks down, students are bracing for a massive show of force, demanding that President Tinubu takes decisive action against the embattled TCN and NERC heads.
The protests promise to be a defining moment in the struggle for accountability and better governance in Nigeria’s power sector.
NAUS remains resolute in its demands, insisting that the removal of Abdulaziz and Garba is a crucial step towards revitalizing Nigeria’s ailing power sector.
The association urged President Tinubu to seize this opportunity to demonstrate his commitment to transparency, accountability, and the welfare of Nigerian students.
