The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has declared a nationwide protest set for September 15, 2024, across major cities in Nigeria.
The demonstration aims to voice strong opposition to the recent increase in fuel prices announced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
NANS stated, “The protest, tagged ‘Fuel Price Hike: A Threat to Our Future,’ will take place on September 15, 2024, across major cities in Nigeria.” This announcement was made in a statement on Tuesday by NANS National Senate President, Comrade Henry Okunomo, and distributed to the press in Kano.
Expressing deep disappointment, Okunomo said, “NANS is appalled and disheartened by the recent announcement of yet another hike in fuel prices by the NNPC.” The statement called for a nationwide protest against what was described as an “egregious act” and demanded an immediate reversal of the increase, urging all Nigerian students, civil society organizations, and the general public to join the peaceful demonstration.
“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,” Okunomo affirmed. He further criticized the NNPC’s Director-General, Mele Kyari, stating that his leadership has failed to ensure a stable and affordable fuel supply, describing the fuel price hikes under Kyari’s tenure as “gross incompetence.”
“The NNPC, under his watch, has become a behemoth of inefficiency, perpetuating a cycle of hardship and despair for the Nigerian people,” he added. NANS is also demanding the immediate removal of Mr. Kyari as Director-General, asserting that his continued position is an affront to the sensibilities of the Nigerian people and a stark reminder of the government’s insensitivity to their plight.
