The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS has announced a nationwide protest over the recent increment in petrol price.
The student body in a notification issued on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, said the massive shutdown across all Nigeria cities will be effective from September 15, 2024.
According to NANS, the protest is in response to the recent fuel price hike and the perceived incompetence of the NNPC Director General, Mele Kyari.
The student union demands an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike and the removal of Mr. Male Kyari as the NNPC Director General.
The notice was signed by Okunomo Henry Adewumi, President of the Senate (NANS).
According to the notice, the students plan to occupy all major cities in the country on September 15, 2024. The notice assured that the protest will be peaceful and lawful.
“We write to notify you of an impending massive shutdown of all major cities in Nigeria, effective 15th September 2024, in protest of the recent hike in fuel prices and the gross incompetence of the NPC Director General, Mele Kyari.
“The incessant increase in fuel prices has brought untold hardship to the masses, and we can no longer stand idly by while our future is mortgaged by the actions of a few. We demand an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike and the removal of Mr. Kyari as the NNPC DG.
“We call on all Nigerian students across the country to wake up to this clarion call, as we will be occupying all major cities on the 15th of September, 2024. We shall not be silenced, and we shall not be intimidated. We shall rise in unison to demand a better deal for Nigerian students and the masses.
“We urge you to take necessary measures to maintain law and order during the shutdown, as we assure you that our protest will be peaceful and lawful,” the notice read.
However, a faction of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has dismissed the announcement that the student body is planning a massive shutdown of major cities across the country to protest the hike in fuel pump price.
The protest notice was dismissed in a statement signed by NANS Senate President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, on Wednesday.
The statement explained that the student association did not announce or endorse the planned protest.
It described reports of the planned protest as baseless, adding that it did not reflect the position or intentions of NANS.
The student body urged security agencies to act decisively in apprehending any individuals or groups attempting to use the name of NANS to incite unrest or disrupt the peace of the nation.
It stressed the need to collectively ensure that the integrity of democratic processes and the rule of law are upheld at all times in the country, calling on security agencies to launch a thorough investigation into the origin of the misinformation.
The statement emphasized that those responsible for spreading falsehood should be identified and held accountable, adding that the use of NANS name to propagate dangerous and unfounded claims is not only a threat to national security but also a grave disservice to the millions of students who genuinely seek positive change through legitimate means.
Parts of the statement read, “The leadership of NANS has been made aware of rumours and misinformation circulating across various platforms, suggesting that NANS is planning a massive shutdown of major cities across the country.
“We wish to categorically state that NANS has not announced or endorsed any such protest. These reports are entirely baseless and do not reflect the position or intentions of our organization.
“As the umbrella body representing the interests of Nigerian students, we have always been committed to peaceful advocacy and constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders.
“We understand the critical importance of maintaining peace and stability in our nation, especially during these challenging times. Any actions that could lead to civil unrest or the disruption of public order are not, and will never be, supported by NANS.
“We strongly urge the public, the media, and all stakeholders to disregard these false reports.
“The individuals or groups behind these rumours are faceless entities who seek to exploit the name of NANS for their own malicious purposes. Their aim is clear: to destabilize the country and create unnecessary tension among citizens. We categorically disassociate ourselves from any such plans or intentions.”
DAILY GIST reports that the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu has triggered increase in the price of the PMS.
On Tuesday, amid the lingering fuel scarcity in the country, the NNPCL increased the pump price of petrol from ₦568 to ₦855, ₦897 depending on the location per litre.
The NNPC admitted that it owed the Petrol suppliers about $6billion, leading to unavailability of fuel across the country
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had on Tuesday demanded an immediate reversal of the hike in fuel price announced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), saying the hike has worsened the misery of Nigerians.
Condemning the move in a statement, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, accused the Federal Government of betraying labour movement.
