The National Union of Lagos State Students (NULASS) has unequivocally pledged its support for the upcoming nationwide protest organized by the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) slated for September 13. This protest, spearheaded by NANS, aims to decry the recent surge in tuition fees imposed by universities across the nation.
Akinlola Shasanya, the President of NULASS, expressed the union’s unwavering commitment to participating in the solidarity movement. He stated this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) witnessed a massive student-led demonstration on September 6, provoked by the management’s decision to significantly raise tuition fees. Previously, students paid slightly over N19,000 in fees, but the new directive requires them to fork out over N190,000.
NANS, standing in solidarity with students nationwide, called upon tertiary institutions and Unity Schools to refrain from increasing school fees. The association vowed to continue mobilizing its members across the country to protest against such fee hikes.
In Mr. Shasanya’s words, “NULASS, the apex indigenous students’ body in Nigeria, will offer our solidarity in the aftermath of the events that occurred in UNILAG, Akoka, some days ago. We express our full support for the general protest by NANS, coming up on September 13. We also wholeheartedly commit to joining the struggle against drastic tuition fee hikes.”
He emphasized the importance of seeking justice and equity in education, stating that their collective determination and solidarity would ultimately lead to success in this endeavor.
Furthermore, Mr. Shasanya strongly condemned the reported actions of the police, who allegedly fired tear gas canisters at peaceful UNILAG student protesters on September 6. He said, “We have followed the unwelcome stand from the management of UNILAG, and we are horrified by the conduct of the Nigeria Police operatives against Nigerian students.”
In the spirit of “Aluta” (the student struggle for justice), NULASS intends to mobilize its members to join the solidarity movement. They are resolute in their commitment to this just and essential fight for the rights of Nigerian students. Their stance is clear: the protest will persist until UNILAG management reevaluates the significant tuition fee hike and implements a more equitable solution.
