The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has warned the Department of State Services (DSS) not to obstruct students in their exercise of the right to protest, asserting that this right is universally recognized as a fundamental human right.
NANS’ National Public Relations Officer, Giwa Temitope, responded to a statement made by the DSS, which claimed that certain politicians were mobilizing student leaders for violent protests against the Federal Government’s policies on socioeconomic matters.
The DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, had stated on Monday, “Intelligence reports have indicated that the plotters include certain politicians who are desperately mobilizing unsuspecting student leaders, ethnic-based associations, youth, and disgruntled groups for the planned action.”
Last week, a group known as the Student Solidarity Group Against Fee Hike planned to protest against fee increases at the University of Lagos on September 6, 2023.
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Supporting this move, NANS’ PRO, in a statement sent to correspondents on Tuesday, announced that the student body would participate in the UNILAG protest and called on the DSS not to infringe upon the rights of students.
Giwa said, “It is quite embarrassing that the DSS has derailed to become the propaganda arm of the Federal Government, thereby, raising false alarms and even interfering in affairs that do not in any way relate to their line of profession.
“As an association, we maintain that we are not satisfied with how the Nigerian society is being run, most especially, as regards arbitrary fee increment across our tertiary institutions, with the University of Lagos being a model.”
NANS said the failure of UNILAG management to honor the agreement reached during a meeting with student leaders on August 2 prompted the student body to schedule a protest at the university for September 6, and they intend to continue until the management reverses the fee hike.
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Students are urged to join the protest to demand the immediate reversal of fees at the University of Lagos.
In July 2023, UNILAG management increased fees for medical students from N19,000 to N190,250. For courses requiring laboratory and studio facilities, students were required to pay N140,250.
The management cited “prevailing economic realities” as the rationale behind the fee hike.