Nigerian students have begun protests across different cities in the country, following the directive of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to shut down major roads in Abuja and other cities in the country.
NANS had issued an ultimatum last Monday following the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the federal government’s failure to implement the agreement between both parties.
NANS had threatened to shut down Nigeria beginning from today if both parties failed to resolve their differences and allow students to go back to school and continue their academic programmes.
In a statement last week during its meeting at Sokoto State University, Sokoto, NANS president, Sunday Asefon said all organs of NANS have been directed to mobilise students across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in line with congress’ decision.
According to him, “We would block all major federal roads in all the 36 states of the federation. The unfriendly action will be led and coordinated by NANS JCC and zonal executive, including national officials of NANS in the state. FCT will be blocked by the national secretariat of NANS in collaboration with FCT axis of NANS.”
He also noted that “if Nigerian students are at home, office of the Minister of Education and Minister of Labour cannot be opened.”
Meanwhile, protests have begun in Abuja, the Federal capital; Plateau State; Niger State; Kano State and Rivers State, among others.
The students seen with placards bearing different inscriptions said the strike would cause more harm than good to their education.
According to them, the strike has gone on for too long to continue as their age remain irreversible, given the time slated for them to finish their course of study.
