The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed grave concerns over the removal of fuel subsidy and the increase in tuition fees in public universities. The students’ body has warned that the removal of subsidy will be a calamity too unimaginable for Nigerians to comprehend. The organization further urged the government to reverse the increase in tuition fees and build new refineries as oil is being discovered in Kogi, Bauchi, and Borno.
Speaking to the press in Abuja, the Vice President of NANS National Secretariat, Comrade Victor Ezenagu, expressed disappointment over the World Bank’s offer of an $800 million grant to Nigeria to reduce the sufferings of the people when the subsidy is removed. NANS demands immediate reduction of all increased school fees and increased budget allocation of education to 26%. It also demands increased funding for Tetfund, Ubec, and other associated educational funding agencies.
According to the students’ body, the increment in school fees has led many of its students to drop out, contributing only negatively to society. “In profiling our demands NANS wants to appeal passionately to the conscience of our school authorities to please temper justice with mercy and return all school fees to statuesque pending when a proper budget for education will be in place,” Ezenagu said
On subsidy removal, he said, “It will be disastrous and a calamity too unimaginable for us to comprehend. Nobody will be safe anymore because the frustration and hunger that will persist and befall many homes will make our people do the unthinkable in other to survive, please note “a hungry man is the devil’s tool.” The government must put adequate measures in place before the removal, and it should not be in a hurry to do so, NANS said.
Furthermore, NANS called on President Mohammed Buhari to sack the Minister of Finance for her inexperience, insubordination, absurdity, incompetence, and major corruption allegations. The organization urges the government to increase the welfare package, including salaries for the school workforce, both academic and non-academic staff.
NANS demands immediate action from the government to address the increasing concerns over subsidy removal and the hike in tuition fees