In what appears to be a discordant tune, the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students [NANS] has denied a proposed shutdown of major cities across the country scheduled to commence on September 15.
NANS said the announcement did not emanate from it, nor did it announce or endorse any such protest, describing the claims as baseless.
Earlier on Wednesday [today], a statement signed by Okunomo Henry Adewumi, the student body’s senate president at the Olusegun Agagu University of Science & Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, had stated that NANS was ready to embark on a nationwide protest against the current hike of pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol.
It may be recalled that Henry Okunomo was ratified as the new NANS Senate President on May 25th, 2024 at a senate meeting headed by the pro-Tempore Senate President, Chijioke Emmanuel, with the active participation of 178 student senators from across the country, as well as stakeholders from the six zones of NANS.
However, a counter statement by Akinteye Babatunde, who also identifies as the NANS senate president, said Adewumi’s claims did not reflect the position or intentions of the student body.
Akinteye says, “The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has been made aware of rumours and misinformation circulating across various platforms, suggesting that NANS is planning a massive shutdown of major cities across the country.
“We wish to categorically state that NANS has not announced or endorsed any such protest. These reports are entirely baseless and do not reflect the position or intentions of our organisation.
“As the umbrella body representing the interests of Nigerian students, we have always been committed to peaceful advocacy and constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders.
“We understand the critical importance of maintaining peace and stability in our nation, especially during these challenging times. Any actions that could lead to civil unrest or the disruption of public order are not, and will never be, supported by NANS.
“We strongly urge the public, the media, and all stakeholders to disregard these false reports. The individuals or groups behind these rumours are faceless entities who seek to exploit the name of NANS for their malicious purposes.
“Their aim is clear: to destabilise the country and create unnecessary tension among citizens. We categorically disassociate ourselves from any such plans or intentions.
“We hereby call on the security agencies to launch a thorough investigation into the origin of this misinformation. It is imperative that those responsible for spreading these falsehoods are identified and held accountable. The use of the NANS name to propagate such dangerous and unfounded claims is not only a threat to national security but also a grave disservice to the millions of students who genuinely seek positive change through legitimate means.
“We urge security agencies to act decisively in apprehending any individuals or groups attempting to use the name of NANS to incite unrest or disrupt the peace of our nation. We must collectively ensure that the integrity of our democratic processes and the rule of law are upheld at all times.
“NANS remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for the rights and welfare of Nigerian students. We will continue to pursue this mission through peaceful, lawful, and constructive channels. Let it be known that NANS stands firmly for peace, progress, and the unity of our nation.
“We appreciate the ongoing support of Nigerian students and the public, and we encourage everyone to remain vigilant and not to fall prey to those who seek to manipulate and mislead for their own selfish gains.”
See the statement announcing the shutdown earlier on Wednesday:
