- NANS issues a stern warning of nationwide protests against tuition fee hikes in public higher educational institutions, urging government intervention
- NANS emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding students’ rights, rejecting proposed fee increases and threatening protests to ensure affordable education
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) leadership has threatened nationwide protests in response to the escalating tuition fees in public higher educational institutions. The organization urges the Federal Government to intervene promptly to avert a crisis from the proposed fee hikes.
In a statement by Senate President Sen. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez (BABTEE), NANS expressed unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and interests of Nigerian students. The recent proposals for tuition fee increases from institutions such as the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), and Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA), were unequivocally rejected.
Sen. Afeez lamented the disregard for explicit instructions from the Federal Government against tuition fee hikes, emphasizing the need for Vice Chancellors and institution heads to adhere to these directives.
The statement warned, “If these institutions persist in disregarding the government’s stance, NANS will mobilize Nigerian students nationwide for a relentless protest, aiming to stampede and shut down the country until our demands are met.”
Emphasizing that education is a right, not a privilege, NANS vowed to resist any attempt to burden students with additional financial strain. The organization declared its intent to closely monitor the implementation of the new education budget and fiercely resist any policy that compromises the accessibility of quality education.
The statement articulated concerns about the proposed tuition fee hikes jeopardizing education accessibility for the common man. NANS emphasized that such increases could lead to severe consequences, including students abandoning education due to financial strain, exacerbating unemployment rates, and driving some into criminal activities.
NANS called on the federal government to intervene swiftly, urging alignment with the commitment to affordable and quality education. The organization highlighted potential negative fallout, including a surge in crimes, a decline in national productivity, and a setback to collective progress if education affordability is neglected.
In conclusion, NANS demanded decisive action from the Federal Government and relevant authorities to ensure reasonable and accessible tuition fees, asserting that education is a right that should not become a privilege for a few. The organization underscored that the nation’s security and prosperity hinge on a well-educated populace, urging immediate action to prevent the impending crisis.