The Zone D of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Osun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY) and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) to reinstate their student unionism or face massive protests.
NANS said the absence of unions in the institutions undermined the rights and abilities of students.
The union declared that it was prepared to take decisive steps to protect the rights of Zone D students and use all available means, including mass protests, to ensure their demands were met.
The coordinator of NANS Zone D, Owolewa Sunday, said on Wednesday at a world press conference at the Nigerian Union of Journalists Correspondents’ Chapel in Osogbo, Osun state capital, that student unionism was essential in defending the rights of Nigerian students.
“If the demand is not met, the association will mobilise a massive protest to disrupt academic activities and bring the issue to national attention,” Owolewa said.
He said NANS was deeply concerned about the welfare of students and fostering a mutual relationship between students and institutional management.
While calling on all affected institutions to reinstate disbanded students’ unions, the NANS coordinator urged all higher institutions in Nigeria to reduce their tuition fees.
Owolewa lamented that many families with children in institutions of higher learning were struggling with the current economic realities.
He said: “Our attention has been drawn to institutions such as Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, and notably the University of Lagos (UNILAG), which still lack functional Students’ Unions.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone D, under my leadership, believes that the absence of functional Students’ Unions is a glaring affront to the rights and aspirations of Nigerian students. We will not stand idle as students’ voices are silenced and their interests neglected in these institutions.
“Having exhausted the first two C’s of Aluta in advocating for the reinstatement of Students’ Unions at these campuses, we are left with the final C: Confrontation. Therefore, we hereby issue this ultimatum.”
“I, Comrade Taiwo Owolewa, on behalf of the leadership of NANS Zone D, reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian student has representation within their academic institutions.
“We want to address the inhumane issue of rising tuition fees in some institutions.
“The continued escalation of fees imposes an undue financial burden on students and their families, creating barriers to accessing quality education.
“Education is a fundamental right, and we will not tolerate actions that limit this right through exorbitant tuition increases. We strongly urge institutions considering or implementing such increases to immediately reconsider.
“Any further rise in fees will be met with firm resistance from the Southwest Zone of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), as we are determined to protect the interests of the student body against disadvantageous policies.
“Our commitment remains steadfast as we continue to prioritise the welfare, rights, and futures of Nigerian students. We are dedicated to ensuring that students have access to affordable education, adequate representation, and the freedom to express themselves within their academic environments.
“The leadership of NANS Southwest also uses this medium to call for calm in Oyo State regarding the NANS JCC election, which is already causing discord in the state. We promise to find a long-lasting solution to the issue within the shortest possible time.”
“We commend the Federal Government for introducing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to provide affordable and sustainable transportation in the Southwest.
“This initiative is a vital step toward alleviating the daily challenges faced by students and citizens across our region.
“Additionally, we recognise the government’s support of the Nel Fund, which provides opportunities for students to cover their expenses regardless of background.
“While we applaud institutions and school managements who support students’ unionism, we issue a strong warning to those that oppose our efforts through oppressive and manipulative decisions to scrap students’ unions to desist from such actions.”
NANS Issues Ultimatum For UNILAG, OSPOLY, LAUTECH To Reinstate Student Unions is first published on The Whistler Newspaper