NAUS, NAPS, NANCES postpone planned protest

The tertiary education students, under the auspices of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) and National Association Nigerian of College of Education Students (NANCES), have suspended the nationwide protest originally scheduled for Monday, July 29, 2024.

The joint leadership of NAUS, NAPS and NANCES, after extensive consultations, decided to postpone the protest for the time being, especially since it took place at the same time as the national protests in August.

The students announced the suspension of the planned protest in a statement jointly signed on Sunday by: Comrade Obaji Marshal, National President of NAUS; Ambassador Shuaib Ishaka Yahaya, Senate President of NAUS; Comrade Ridwan Opeyemi Munirudeen, National President of NAPS; Comrade Adeniji Boluwaji Temitope, Senate President of NAPS; Ambassador Comrade Eegunjobi Samuel Oluwaseun, National President of NANCES; and Senator Kur Isaac Ushahemba, Senate President of NANCES.

The students expressed fear that their sincere peaceful protest could be misused and hence decided to suspend the protest, adding that the student unions would, however, continue to engage with the government and relevant stakeholders on the various demands of the unions.

The statement said: “We extend our greetings to all students of various disciplines in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in the 36 states of the country and the FCT and reiterate the determination of our government to achieve the best and most beneficial for all of us until our last day in office.”

“You will recall that a few days ago the Joint National Leadership informed the public of our decision to hold an organised protest and peaceful demonstration with the aim of drawing the government’s attention to the economic difficulties and the high/rising cost of living in the country, which are particularly felt by students and youth of the country.

“We are conscious of our rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and have decided to exercise them shortly.

“The current economic situation caused by the rising cost of living, the increase in the price of raw materials, the increase in the price of oil and electricity, the insecurity and the inadequate financing of our institutions, which currently affects more than 80% of the country’s population, is particularly felt by young Nigerians pursuing various academic degrees in higher education institutions.”

“Furthermore, the inability of governments at federal, state and local levels to provide adequate immediate and long-term palliative measures, especially for Nigerian students, to cushion the impact of high cost of living is quite disappointing and also raises concerns among the student movement in the country that there appears to be a lack of initiatives and ideas on the most effective approach to sustainable economic recovery and growth.

“However, the joint national leadership was inundated with calls which led to marathon consultations with stakeholders, government officials and well-meaning Nigerians on the issue of our planned protest action.

‘You will also be interested to know that these consultations provided assurances that the demands made would be met expeditiously.

“Similarly, the joint leadership is aware of the fact that a national protest is planned for August. Given the concerns expressed by the security agencies in consultations, it would be dangerous to lead a protest at a critical moment like this as it could be hijacked.

“Furthermore, since the United Leadership is the only known organization protesting against any harm that may come our way, the Joint National Leadership hereby postpones its planned protest.

“This postponement also marks a distancing of the associations from the organized ten-day protests, with a call to all university students to stay away from the nationwide protests.

“For emphasis, I would like to say that the joint leadership is calling off its protest and postponing it until further notice while discussions and consultations with the government, stakeholders and associations continue.

“We reassure all students in Nigerian universities of our commitment to their welfare and good standards of education and ask for their continued trust and cooperation.

“Further details will follow shortly at our press conference,” the statement said.

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