NANS Threatens Protest Over Tertiary Institutions’ Tuition Hike

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BY EDMOND ODOK – The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned as “insensitive” and “embarrassing” the Federal Government’s planned hike in fees being paid in public tertiary institutions across the country.

This is as the Students’ apex Association also called on Nigerian students to prepare for an all-round protest, similar to the one held during the prolonged ASUU strike, until the government reverses the policy.

NANS maintained that the government has the wherewithal to fully fund education and make it accessible to every Nigerian child.

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The Students’ body, while describing the student loan scheme introduced by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a sham and a bait to make Nigerians accept fee increments, said there is no justification for an increase in school fees across tertiary institutions and Unity schools.

In a statement signed by NANS’ National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Giwa Temitope and released on Saturday, the Students declared the government’s action as “insensitive” and “embarrassing”.

Consequently, the Association demanded that the planned increase in school fees should be suspended, adding that those who have implemented the policy should reverse same forthwith

The statement said; “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.”

Warning of its readiness to take on the government headlong on the fees’ hike, the Association said; “We call on Nigerian students to brace up and be prepared for an all-around 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.”

Further picking holes in the planned loan scheme arrangement, NANS said; “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.”

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