The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has given the management of the University of Lagos, 48 hours ultimatum to reverse the increased school fees and refund the students that have paid.
The student body also tasked other tertiary institutions and Unity Schools across the country, over increment of school fees, vowed to keep mobilizing its members nationwide to kick against such moves.
NANS disclosed this on Thursday at the press conference held at the International Press Centre, Lagos, in reaction to the disruption of its peaceful protest by the operatives of the Nigeria police which took take place at UNILAG.
The press statement was co-signed by NANS National Public Relations Officer, Giwa Temitope; NANS National Vice President External, Akinteye Afeez; NANS National Deputy Senate President, Ekundina Elvis; NANS Chairman JCC, Lagos, Alimi Idris; and NANS Director Special Duties (Southwest), Adegboye Adeboye.
The statement read, “We want to start this press conference by commending the mass of Nigerian students who came out yesterday, defying police repression, and threats from the arrogant authorities of the University of Lagos.
“The Nigerian people must be free to exercise their freedom as explicitly stated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) most especially Section 40 which provides for the right to peaceful assembly and association.”
“Consequently, all students Union Presidents, NANS leadership, and the Nigerian students are hereby put on notice to begin mobilizations. We shall be hitting the Unilag gates again.
“The country is bleeding economically and education cannot be traded for illiteracy. It is our fundamental human rights to be educated.
“The Police authority must henceforth stop repression of students and people’s protest.
“Finally, we thank all Nigerians who rose when we were arrested and shot at by the police. We especially love the level of solidarity and radical statements from our campuses most especially the Great Ife Students Union, the University of Ibadan Students’ Union amongst others.”