The National Association of Nigerian Students (NAN) has pushed against the planned increment of school fees by tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
In a statement, signed by its national spokesman, Giwa Temitope, declared that the government's action was “insensitive†and “embarrassing.â€
The union also emphasized that the government has the resources to support and make education accessible, saying that the establishment of the student loan scheme was a hoax and a trap to get Nigerians to accept fee increases.
According to the group, there is no reason for an increase in tuition fees across the country's tertiary institutions and unification schools. It urged that the increase in school fees be halted, and that those who had implemented the policy do so immediately.
NANS also urged Nigerian students to prepare for an all-out protest akin to the one seen during the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)'s extended strike, until the federal government reverses the policy.
“The increment of school fees at the University of Lagos and the planned increment across tertiary institutions in the country have shown this administration to be a very insensitive one.
“As a matter of fact, it is most ridiculous and embarrassing that the government will be introducing an increment of fees without thinking of rescuing over 133 million Nigerian people from multidimensional poverty.
“Increment of fees across tertiary institutions will only complicate the poverty situation of the country and increase the number of out-of-school children.
“As an association, we believe that the Nigerian government has what it takes to massively fund education and make it accessible,†the NANS stated.