NANS Plans Nationwide Protests Against Fuel Price Hikes, Calls for City Shutdowns

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced plans for a nationwide protest and the shutdown of major cities across Nigeria on September 15, 2024. The protest is in response to the recent fuel price hikes and what the student body describes as the incompetence of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Director General, Mele Kyari.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the NANS President of the Senate, Okunomo Henry Adewumi, detailed the union’s demands, which include an immediate reversal of the fuel price increases and the removal of Mele Kyari from his position as NNPC CEO. The statement further emphasized that the planned protests will be peaceful and lawful.

“We are writing this letter to inform you of the closure of all major cities in Nigeria on September 15, 2024, to protest against the increase in oil prices and the negative consequences of the incompetence of NNPC’s Executive Director, Mele Kyari,” the announcement read.

NANS expressed concern over the impact of rising fuel prices on Nigerians, particularly students, and vowed not to remain silent. “Due to the rise in fuel prices, many people have suffered. We cannot remain silent and allow the actions of some individuals to mortgage our future. We demand that the oil price hike be canceled and Mr. Kyari be removed from his position as NNPC CEO.”

The student body urged all Nigerian students to participate in the protests, stating, “We call on all Nigerian students across the country to rise to this clarion call as we reach all major cities on September 15, 2024. We will not be silent, and we will not be afraid. We unite to demand better treatment for students and Nigerian society.”

NANS also called on the government to ensure law and order during the planned shutdowns, assuring that their protest would be peaceful and within legal bounds.