NANS THREATENS TO SHUT DOWN NIGERIA DUE TO INCREASED TUITION COSTS

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) issued a statement on Thursday.

Both the federal and state administrations have been notified of an impending student rebellion, which would result in a total shutdown of the country if the hike in tuition prices at all higher institutions across the country is not halted immediately.

Comrade Usman Umar Barambu, National President of NANS, made the announcement while speaking during the first North-East Zonal Senate meeting of NANS, which was held at the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP) in Bauchi.

Barambu stated that the student body was dissatisfied with the increase in tuition prices, which he claimed had a negative impact on students, particularly those from low-income families who were still able to attend school.

According to the NANS President, "Very soon we will give the directive on how to go about it. We are going to completely shut down the country, nothing is going to move until our demands are heard and granted.

"The tuition fees must be brought down to be commensurate with the present economic situation in the country. There is no money readily available; it is difficult for parents to raise the money now, not talk about the new rate."

Barambu expressed regret that political elites who are meant to support the masses in their opposition to the anticipated increase in tuition fees in the country are doing nothing because it does not affect them.

"During the recent Naira notes crisis, some of the governors rushed to the Supreme Court to halt its implementation and they won. Now, there are moves to increase tuition fees but they are not talking because it does not affect them; their children are far away from the country.

"Very soon, we will shut down the entire country: We will not block the highways because it is our poor parents that will suffer. We will shut down all the airports across the country, that is where it will pain them most," the NANS President said.