The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced plans for a large-scale protest across major cities in Nigeria, set to begin on September 15, 2024. This action is in direct response to the recent hike in fuel prices and what the student body describes as the ineptitude of Mele Kyari, the Director General of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
NANS has issued a formal notification outlining their demands, which include an immediate reversal of the fuel price increase and the removal of Kyari from his position. The notice was signed by Okunomo Henry Adewumi, President of the Senate of NANS.
In the announcement, NANS made it clear that Nigerian students will be mobilizing to occupy all major cities in the country on the specified date. The organization emphasized that the protest would be conducted in a peaceful and lawful manner, urging authorities to take the necessary precautions to ensure that law and order are maintained during the demonstrations.
The statement expressed deep concern over the continuous rise in fuel prices, which NANS believes has caused significant hardship for the Nigerian people. The student body argues that the current situation is unsustainable and insists that immediate action is required to prevent further deterioration of living conditions for the masses.
NANS is calling on all Nigerian students to join the protest, stressing the importance of unity and collective action in advocating for a fairer deal for both students and the general populace. The organization emphasized that they will not be silenced or intimidated and are committed to standing together in demanding changes that will benefit the broader society.
The notice concludes by urging authorities to ensure a peaceful environment during the protests, reiterating that the students’ actions will remain non-violent and within the bounds of the law.