Fuel Price Hike: NANS Threatens Nationwide Protests

iexclusivenews – The recent fuel price hike in Nigeria has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) threatening to take drastic action.

On Friday, NANS Senate President Henry Okuomo announced plans for widespread protests across major cities if the government fails to reverse the fuel price increase by September 15.

Fuel Price Hike Pushes Students to Breaking Point

This online news media reports that the sudden jump in fuel prices from N568 to N897 per liter has sent shockwaves through the country, particularly affecting the student population.

Okuomo emphasized the severe impact on campus life, stating;

“Many of our campuses, none of the shuttles are working due to the hike, and the fact that if you have the money to get fuel, the queue at the filling station is long and you won’t get the fuel on time. Shuttle and everything else on campus have been paralyzed.”

This fuel price hike has not only disrupted transportation but has also contributed to a broader economic strain on students and their families.

With over 40 million Nigerian students represented by NANS, the organization views itself as a significant stakeholder in the country’s affairs.

NANS Demands Action Against Fuel Price Hike

Okuomo made it clear that NANS is not simply threatening a strike but is committed to taking concrete action.

“We are going to demand not only for a reduction in fuel price but for other things that are affecting the nation in general,” he declared during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

The student leader emphasized that this is not a typical protest but a serious movement backed by a legally recognized body.

NANS has been actively sensitizing students across the country, including those in private universities, about the planned protests.

Government’s Response

The ball is now in the government’s court, with NANS setting a clear deadline for action.

Okuomo stated, “We have determined that on the 15th of this month, no going back. We are hitting the street hard.”

This ultimatum puts pressure on the authorities to address not only the fuel price hike but also other policies causing hardship for Nigerian citizens.

However, the situation is not without controversy.

A factional Senate President of NANS, Babatunde Akinteye, has denied that the group is organizing protests against the fuel price increase.

This internal disagreement adds another layer of complexity to an already tense situation.

Despite this, Okuomo maintains that he is the “authentic” senate president of NANS and that the organization remains “one indivisible and indisoluble entity.”

As the September 15 deadline approaches, all eyes are on the government’s response to the fuel price hike and the potential for widespread student protests.

The outcome of this standoff could have significant implications for Nigeria’s economic policies and social stability in the coming weeks.