The National Association of Nigerian Students has warned heads of tertiary institutions against flagrant increases in tuition fees following the Federal Government’s decision to give student loans under the NELFUND scheme.
The warning is contained in a statement issued after NANS’s 74th Senate sitting in Kano, a copy of which was made available to newsmen today.
The statement was signed by Comrade Okunomo Adewumi.
“Any institution found doing so will face the full wrath and consequences of NANS. We will mobilise our members and take decisive action against such institutions.
“The leadership of NANS is ready to wage war against any school that increases tuition fees under the guise of the student loan scheme,” the statement read in part.
It also called for an immediate and drastic reduction of tuition fees across all tertiary institutions in the country to cushion the hardship faced by students.
On the planned mass protests against the current economic situation, the student body urged its members to remain calm and await the Federal Government’s response to its demands.
“While we understand the sentiments driving the proposed protest by well-meaning Nigerians, we urge our members to remain calm and observe the government’s response to our demands.
“We will not hesitate to mobilise if the government fails to address our concerns. We also acknowledge the right of Nigerians to exercise their civil rights and will not stand in the way of peaceful protests.
However, we will not condone any attempts to sabotage the efforts of Nigerians calling on the government to take necessary action,” it said.
Punch / Emmanuel Dada