Nigerian students suspend planned nationwide protest

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) on Saturday suspended their planned protest.

The trio had earlier declared 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.

However, in a new swift, the students’ leadership have suspended and postponed the planned protest.

The latest decision was conveyed in a statement on Saturday 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.

Citing reason for the postponement, the students’ body said the Joint national leadership have made consultations with stakeholders, government officials and well-meaning Nigerians, adding that the consultations offered assurances of quick action to their demands.

Furthermore, the students’ body noted that due to the proposed national protest in August by several bodies and with the concerns expressed by security agencies from their consultations, it will be dangerous to embark on protest in such critical moment.

The statement reads partly: “You will recall that a few days ago, the Joint National leadership , informed the public of our decision to embark on an organised protest and peaceful demonstration, aimed at drawing the attention of the government to the economic hardship and high/rising cost of living in the country, which is most felt by Students and youths of the country.

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“We are aware of our rights as enshrined in the 1999 constitution (as amended), and have chosen to proceed towards exercising them very shortly.

“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.”

“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.”

“However, the Joint national leadership has been inundated with calls which have led to marathon consultations with stakeholders, government officials and well-meaning Nigerians on the issue of our proposed protest action.

“It will also interest you to know that these consultations have offered assurances of quick action to the demands made:

“Similarly, the Joint Leadership takes into cognizance of the fact that there is a planned national protest in August, and with the concerns expressed by security agencies from consultations, it will be Dangerous Leading a Protest in a Critical Moment like this, as it can be hijacked and since the Joint Leadership is the only known body protesting all Damages might fall on us, the National Joint Leadership hereby postpones its planned protest.

“This postponement also comes with a dissociation of the Associations with the 10days Protest being organised, with a call for all the Tertiary To Stay Away From The Protest.

“For emphasis, the joint Leadership calls off its protest, and postpones it till further notice, while engagements and consultations would continue with the Government, Stakeholders and the Association.

Nigerian students suspend planned nationwide protest