Education

The National Association of Nigerian Students has condemned the planned increment of school fees by tertiary institutions in the country.

In a statement signed by the National PRO, Giwa Temitope and released on Saturday, NANS declared that the government’s action is “insensitive” and “embarrassing”.

The association also stressed that the government has what it takes to fund education and make it accessible, noting that the introduction of the student loan scheme is a sham and a bait to make Nigerians accept fee increments.

The association stated that there is no justification for an increase in school fees across tertiary institutions and Unity schools.

It demanded that the increase in school fees should be suspended, adding that those who have implemented the policy should reverse it immediately.

“We must state categorically that there is no justification for increment in school fees across our tertiary institutions and even Unity schools. Our demand is clear and simple; the attempt to increase school fees must be suspended. And, those that have floated it must reverse it with immediate effect.”

NANS also called on Nigerian students to prepare for an all-round protest until the Federal Government reverses the policy, similar to the one during the prolonged ASUU strike.

“We call on Nigerian students to brace up and be prepared for an all-round protest as was done during the prolonged ASUU strike until the Federal Government reverses this policy.

“The increment of school fees at UNILAG and the planned increment across tertiary institutions in the country has shown this administration to be a very insensitive one.

“As a matter of fact, it is most ridiculous and embarrassing that the government will be introducing fees increment without thinking of rescuing over 133 million Nigerian people from multidimensional poverty.

“Increment in fees across tertiary institutions will only complicate the poverty situation of the country and also increase the number of out-of-school children.

“As an association, we believe that the Nigerian government has what it takes to massively fund education and make it accessible. In fact, the student loan that was introduced by the Federal Government is nothing but a sham and bait to lure the Nigerian people into accepting increments in fees payable.

“Beyond the fact that the terms of the loan are ridiculous, history has taught us that not every applicant will be considered. And, even if all of them were to be considered, it still does not justify an increment in an economy that tops the unemployment index. Rather than give loans, the government must provide grants and scholarships for students.”

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Education

Some students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY, Abeokuta, have protested the institution’s increments of tuition fees and alleged extortion by the management of the school.

The students in their thousands barricaded the main entrance of the institution and prevented movement into the school premises.

The protest which disrupted the ongoing second-semester examination saw the protesting students displaying inscriptions such as: “#Say No To Unreasonable Increment Now!!!”, “Say no to extortion” and “Bring back our 60/40 per cent among others.

The chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Ogun State, Comrade Simeon Damilola, demanded the immediate reversal of all increased fees and abolishment of the newly introduced fees.

Mr Damilola called for the investigation of the management of the institution for alleged misappropriation and mismanagement of funds in the school.

The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Yemi Ajibola while speaking on the protest said it was not true that the institution increased the tuition fee.

Public Relations Officer, Mr Yemi Ajibola

He stated that the students’ leaders have reneged on the earlier agreed solution to the crisis.

Mr Ajibola described the allegations levelled against the rector as baseless and unfounded.

Wale Oluokun

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Lifestyle

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has promised to collaborate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the fight against Internet fraud.

The umbrella body of all Nigerian students made the pledge in Ibadan on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 during a courtesy visit to the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC.

Led by the Coordinator, South West Zone D, Comrade Kowe Odunayo Amos, the team expressed the association’s satisfaction with the commission’s effort at ridding Nigeria of economic and financial crimes, and affirmed its readiness to collaborate with EFCC to fight internet fraud across all the nation’s tertiary institutions.

According to Comrade Kowe, “In as much as we appreciate the EFCC, we believe there is more that needs to be done especially now that a lot of youth are involved in financial crimes”.

“Forming a synergy with EFCC will go a long way in fighting corrupt practices that are happening all over the country, especially in the universities”. 

Kowe also disclosed that the association was planning programmes to sensitize youths in tertiary institutions on the ills of corruption.

The NANS leader who disclosed that members of the association are also victims of internet fraud as the luxury lives of fraudsters had eroded youths’ belief in the dignity of hard work, said the union will not tolerate or support any act of criminality.

 “Though, it is our responsibility to protect the interest of students, we will not protect the interest of criminals in our communities,” he said.

He distanced the association from any protest against the commission, noting that, “we love the activities of EFCC within and beyond the shores of Nigeria and we are here to create a long-lasting relationship”.

The Ibadan Zonal Commander, Mr. Kanu Idagu, who received the delegation, expressed delight at the opportunity to interact with the students.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us, the school you are in now is a passage. The commission is trying to strike at the root of corruption so that we will not be dealing with the branches tomorrow; we have a very big challenge to help transform this country so we can leave the shores of this country without discrimination, have equal right and be proud to say we are Nigerians.”

He thanked the student leaders for the visit and their offer to be part of the efforts to make Nigeria a crime-free society.

Mr. Kanu charged them to face life challenges with determination and ensure that they give their best in all they do, saying “hard work pays”.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

25 August, 2021

Education

National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has given the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, a five day ultimatum to end the lingering industrial action embarked upon by ASUU.

 Public Relations Officer, NANS, Zone D, Mr Kazeem Olalekan stated this during a protest by delegates  of the association held in front of the office of Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Ibadan.

Mr Olalekan, who spoke through NANS president, University of Ibadan Branch, Oluwasegun Akeju said if the lingering issues were not addressed before Friday, the students would lock up gates of all Federal secretariats and NTA stations across the country.

Mr Olalekan said the eight-month-long industrial action had affected plans and targets of the students maintaining that if it was not addressed, it would leave more untold hardship on the students.

The students carried various placards with inscriptions calling for an end to the prolonged ASUU strike.

Adedayo adelowo

Education

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has appealed to the federal government to expedite action in ensuring that schools were reopened nationwide.

The Secretary-General Zone A of the association, Mr Abdullahi Salisu made the call while briefing journalists at Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ Secretariat in Kano.

He said the union was disturbed with flimsy excuses made available by government officials for delaying the reopening of schools which affects the development of education negatively.

Mr Salisu maintained that after due consultation with security agencies the association had halted its planned protest on the delay of reopening of the schools across the federation.

“We consider it unwise for government to continue keeping our schools closed, while lifting embargo on domestic air travels and planning to conduct elections was on”.

“It is unbelievable that government had approved the reopening of viewing centers, eateries, and markets while school where the common man could access education remain closed”.

The NANS’ Secretary-General appealed to the federal government to revisit its decision on reopening of schools, and stop the arrest and detention of students who protest in demand of their rights, as it happened in Bauchi.

Mr Salisu further explained that the government should come up with a timeline of how to open schools, saying NANS would abide by the terms and conditions the government comes up with.

The association assured Nigerian students that through the cooperation of security agencies and stakeholders, they would explore all legal ways with a view to ensure that Nigerian schools were reopened.

Abdullahi Jalaluddeen