Group declares nationwide protest over fuel price increase
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced plans for a nationwide protest set to begin on September 15, 2024.
The student body issued a notice detailing their intention to stage a large-scale shutdown of major cities across Nigeria.
The protest is a direct response to the recent increase in fuel prices and the perceived ineffectiveness of Mele Kyari, the Director General of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
NANS has called for an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike and the removal of Kyari from his position.
The announcement was made by Okunomo Henry Adewumi, President of the NANS Senate.
The notice outlines that students will occupy key urban centers nationwide on the specified date. It emphasises that the demonstration will be conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.
The notice reads: “We write to notify you of an impending massive shutdown of all major cities in Nigeria, effective 15th September 2024, in protest of the recent hike in fuel prices and the gross incompetence of the NPC Director General, Mele Kyari.
“The incessant increase in fuel prices has brought untold hardship to the masses, and we can no longer stand idly by while our future is mortgaged by the actions of a few. We demand an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike and the removal of Mr. Kyari as the NNPC DG.
“We call on all Nigerian students across the country to wake up to this clarion call, as we will be occupying all major cities on the 15th of September, 2024. We shall not be silenced, and we shall not be intimidated. We shall rise in unison to demand a better deal for Nigerian students and the masses.
“We urge you to take necessary measures to maintain law and order during the shutdown, as we assure you that our protest will be peaceful and lawful.”
