The national headquarters of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Thursday threatened that if the gale of increment in tuition fees in institutions across the country continues unabated it will mobilise students nationwide to stage a relentless protest, stampede, and shut down the country until their demands are met.
To this end, the leadership of the students association has called on the Federal Government to demand immediate intervention to forestall the looming crisis across educational institutions in the country.
NANS Senate President, Akinteye Afeez, reiterated the mandate and commitment of the leadership of the association to continue to protect the rights and interests of Nigerian students.
He said, “To this end, the recent proposals for tuition fee increases, notably from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), and Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA), are unequivocally rejected.
“It is disheartening and worrisome that despite the Federal Government’s explicit instructions against tuition fee hikes, certain vice chancellors and heads of institutions seem poised to defy these directives.
“This we find barbaric, therefore, we declare that if these institutions persist in their disregard for the government’s stance, NANS will mobilise Nigerian students nationwide to stage a relentless protest, stampede, and shut down the country until our demands are met.
“We emphasise that the implementation of the new budget for education is closely monitored by NANS, and any attempt to place additional burden on students with additional financial strain will be met with fierce resistance.
Education is a right, not a privilege, and we will not tolerate any infringement upon the accessibility of quality education for Nigerian students.
“Education is not a privilege reserved for a select few; it is an inalienable right that must be made available to every Nigerian, especially the common man.”
NANS warned that the negative effects of widespread tuition fee increments are far-reaching and have had severe implications on students across the country.
“As fees skyrocket, many students, burdened by financial strain, will be forced to abandon their education.
This tragic consequence will not only deprive countless individuals of their right to learn but will also exacerbate unemployment rates and drive some into criminal activities as a desperate means of survival.
“The proposed tuition fee increments are not only unacceptable but also an affront to the aspirations of countless students striving to contribute meaningfully to the development of our great nation”, NANS said.