THE leadership of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), and the National Association Nigerian of College of Education Students (NANCES), have commenced mobilisation of their members for a nationwide protest beginning from Monday, July 29th, 2024.
The trio of NAUS, NAPS and NANCES, declared the National Day of Protest for Nigerian Students starting from Monday, July 29th, 2024, over the failure of the Federal Government to address the hardships being faced by Nigerian students amidst the current economic crisis.
This was conveyed in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja and jointly signed by Comrade Obaji Marshal National President, NAUS; Amb. Shuaib Ishaka Yahaya, Senate President, NAUS; Comrade Ridwan Opeyemi Munirudeen, National President, NAPS; Comrade Adeniji Boluwaji Temitope, Senate President, NAPS; Amb. Comrade Eegunjobi Samuel Oluwaseun National President, NANCES; and Sen. Kur Isaac Ushahemba, Senate President, NANCES.
The statement indicated the decision to embark on the protest was reached after due and painstaking consultations on the way forward for Nigerian students in tertiary institutions.
“More directly, the trio of NAUS, NAPS AND NANCES frowns at the I don’t care attitude or the government towards reducing the current hardship,” the students noted.
The statement read in part: “We extend our 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 leaderships of the aforementioned associations, after due and painstaking consultations on the way forward for Nigerian Students.
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“The present economic quagmire occasioned by the rising cost of living, hike in cost of commodities, hike in petroleum price, hike in electricity tarriff, 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 socio-economic 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.
“This protest is to serve a way of exercising our right and driving home our demands to the Federal and state governments, to influence innovation, conceptualization and implementation of plans for the alleviation of the hardship suffered by Nigerian students.
“The leaderships of NAUS, NAPS AND NANCES, therefore, urge all Nigerian students to prepare for the National Day of Protest coming up from the 29th of July, 2024.
“With this notice, Student union officials are enjoined to be in touch with their respective associations for updates on the Protest, as security agencies will also been put on notice,” it stated.
