The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has ruled out protesting the recent fuel price hike, instead opting for constructive engagement with the Federal Government and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to achieve a reduction in fuel prices. The association’s leadership emphasized that students are intellectuals, not political thugs, and will not participate in protests that could be hijacked by hoodlums.
NANS Chairman, Comrade Bilal Kurfi, sympathized with students over the challenges posed by the economic policies introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration. However, he called for a shift from protests to dialogue, stating that engaging in discussions with relevant stakeholders will more effectively address the issue and find sustainable solutions.
Kurfi denounced a call for a nationwide protest and shutdown of the economic system by one Mr. Henry Okunomo, who claimed to be a student leader. NANS emphasized that it has not called for any protests or demonstrations and urged the public to disregard any such calls made by non-students with ulterior motives.
The association expressed its commitment to peaceful and constructive engagement, seeking a reduction in petrol prices to mitigate the effects of inflation on students. NANS is confident that President Tinubu, as a sympathetic leader, will listen to their concerns and work towards finding a solution.
