In a united show of strength, three major Nigerian student associations—NAUS, NAPS, and NANCES—have joined forces to stage a mass protest against the crippling economic challenges that have been plaguing the nation. The coalition of university, polytechnic, and college of education students aims to draw attention to the deteriorating economic conditions that are undermining their education and threatening their futures.
The students have declared that the mass protest will commence on July 29, 2024, and continue indefinitely, with no end date specified until their voices are heard and demands are met.
Frustrated by the government’s lack of response and action, the coalition of student unions assert that they have exhausted all other means of communication, including media outreach, to address their concerns. Despite their persistent efforts, the students remain unheard, with no sign of progress being made to resolve the pressing economic issues affecting their education and future prospects.
The national presidents of NAUS, NANCES, and NAPS have issued a joint memo detailing the urgent issues driving the upcoming nationwide protest. Citing rising costs of living, inflated commodity prices, increased petroleum prices, elevated electricity tariffs, escalating insecurity, and insufficient funding for educational institutions, the student unions have pinpointed the most pressing economic and societal challenges confronting the nation.
With more than 80% of the population affected, these challenges have a severe and disproportionate impact on the lives of young Nigerians in higher education, threatening their ability to pursue academic qualifications and build a better future. The difficult economic realities, coupled with the insecurities and inadequate funding of educational institutions, make it increasingly difficult for students to focus on their studies and prepare for the challenges of the modern job market.
The memo, signed by Comrade Obaji U. Marshal (NAUS), Amb. Comr. Eegunjobi Samuel Oluwaseun (NANCES), and Comr. Ridwan O. Munirudeen (NAPS), was obtained by PurpleWorld Media on Wednesday.
The joint memo highlights the key purpose of the upcoming protest: to exert pressure on both the federal and state governments and compel them to take decisive action to alleviate the suffering and challenges faced by Nigerian students.
According to the unions, the hardships have resulted in reduced academic engagement, plummeting grades, rising crime and violence on campuses, and deteriorating student welfare. The gravity of these issues is a clear indication that the impact of the socioeconomic challenges is not limited to students’ financial circumstances, but also has serious ramifications for their physical safety, mental health, and educational outcomes.
The memo 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.”
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