NANS Urges Against Unrest Amid Economic Hardship, Calls for Transparency in Protests
Abuja, Nigeria – The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged Nigerians to avoid social unrest as a solution to the country’s economic challenges.
The student body expressed understanding of the widespread hardship due to recent governmental reforms but emphasized that unrest would not resolve the issues.
In a statement released on Wednesday, NANS President Comrade Lucky Emonefe stressed the importance of patience and constructive engagement over mob action.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) acknowledges the significant hardship being experienced by citizens due to recent reforms and policies.
However, social unrest is not the solution to our problems. We need to remain steadfast and patient as we navigate these challenges,” Emonefe said.
NANS also called on those organizing the planned protests to disclose their identities and clarify their motives. The student body accused these organizers of hiding their identities while making provocative statements that could incite chaos.
“We have observed that certain individuals and groups are attempting to exploit the economic situation to incite unrest. They are economic saboteurs seeking to benefit politically from the current crisis,” the statement read.
The association affirmed that Nigerian students would not support any action that disrupts national stability. “The over 40.1 million Nigerian students will not be part of any conspiracy that aims to undermine our academic pursuits or disrupt our academic calendar. We have enjoyed an uninterrupted academic year, and we are engaged with government bodies to maintain this streak,” Emonefe added.
NANS commended the government for initiating the disbursement of the NELFUND students’ loan, describing it as a positive step towards supporting education and addressing financial constraints. “We appreciate the government’s commitment to education through the NELFUND initiative, which allows students to access loans transparently and efficiently,” Emonefe said.
The student body announced the formation of a Coordinating Monitoring and Intelligence Gathering (CMIG) team to identify and address attempts by disruptive elements to infiltrate student ranks. The CMIG team will monitor and report on such activities to ensure that students remain focused on their education.
NANS also urged students and parents to stay committed to academic goals and avoid participating in protests that could jeopardize their future or disrupt national peace. “We call on Nigerian students to focus on their studies and avoid being used for hidden agendas. Parents should guide their children to stay focused on their academic goals,” Emonefe concluded.
The NANS leadership plans to embark on a zonal sensitization tour to engage with students and inaugurate the CMIG team, aiming to ensure that student activities remain constructive and aligned with national stability.
