The country\’s Federal and State Governments have been given a deadline to either halt the hike in tuition prices at all higher institutions nationwide or prepare for the most intense student uprising in history.
The National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Usman Barambu, made the pronouncement on Thursday at the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP), Bauchi, during the first North-East Zonal Senate Meeting of NANS.
He claimed that students, particularly those who come from the poorest of the poor yet nevertheless manage to make it to school, have been badly impacted by the increase in tuition prices.
\”Very soon we will give the directive on how to go about it,\” said Umar Barambu.
No movement will be made until our demands are heard and met; else, we will fully shut down the nation.
\”The tuition fees must be reduced to be in line with the current economic situation in the country,\” he insisted. \”Money is not readily available, and it is difficult for parents to raise the money now and not talk about the new rate.\”
The president of NANS bemoaned the silence being displayed by individuals who ought to be speaking out against the proposed increase because they are in no way affected.
He claims, \”During the recent crisis involving Naira notes, certain Governors raced to the Supreme Court to prevent its introduction and they prevailed.
The tuition prices are currently being raised, but no one is talking about it because their children are studying abroad, hence it do not have any impact on them.
\”Very soon, we will declare a national emergency; but, we won\’t obstruct the roads because it will be our parents who will suffer. The country\’s airports would all be closed; this is where they will suffer the most, he emphasized.
He claimed that the plot was hatched with some ASUU allies and that the scenario would be met with resistance by all of the nation\’s students, who have long suffered abuse and anguish.
He then urged the security agencies to advise the government on what to do to prevent the dangers that would arise if the tuition fee increase were implemented because, in his words, \”a frustrated student who cannot afford to pay school fees can be a willing tool to be used as a bandit to get satisfaction.\”
