Nigerian students are gearing up for a nationwide protest on September 15, 2024, in a direct response to the latest surge in fuel prices that has sparked widespread discontent across the country.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), which represents millions of students nationwide, is organizing the protest, aiming to stage a massive shutdown of major cities. This move comes as a reaction to what the students describe as an unbearable rise in the cost of living, fueled by the consistent increase in fuel prices.
Leading the charge, NANS has issued a strong demand for the immediate reversal of the fuel price hike. Additionally, they are calling for the removal of Mele Kyari from his position as Director General of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), accusing him of gross incompetence in handling the nation’s energy sector. The students argue that under his leadership, the frequent fuel price increases have inflicted severe economic hardship on ordinary Nigerians, particularly students, who are now struggling to cope with higher transportation and living costs.
In an official notice signed by NANS Senate President Okunomo Henry Adewumi, the student body called on its members across the country to join the protest, which they insist will be both peaceful and lawful. The statement, widely circulated on social media and student forums, urged Nigerian students to occupy major cities in a show of solidarity and strength.
“We can no longer stand by as our future is mortgaged by the actions of a few,” the statement read, highlighting the deep frustration and sense of urgency driving the planned protests. The students further stressed that the protest is not only about fuel prices but also about holding those in power accountable for decisions that adversely affect the masses.
To ensure the protest remains peaceful, NANS has also called on law enforcement agencies to work with them in maintaining order during the demonstrations. They reaffirmed their commitment to non-violence, emphasizing that their fight is for a fairer, more just society where the voices of young Nigerians are heard and respected.
As the protest date approaches, tensions are rising, with many watching closely to see how the situation will unfold. The planned shutdown is expected to disrupt daily activities across the country, as students vow to make their voices heard in what could be one of the largest student-led protests in recent years.
