The Lagos State Police Command's Request for Notification Regarding the UNILAG Protest on September 6, 2023"

The Lagos State Police Command has called upon the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to notify them about their planned protest, scheduled for today, September 6, 2023, at the University of Lagos.

NANS had previously cautioned the Department of State Services (DSS) not to obstruct students' exercise of their right to protest, emphasising that this right is universally recognised as a fundamental human right. On Monday, Giwa Temitope, the National Public Relations Officer of the union, dismissed the DSS's assertion that certain politicians were inciting student leaders to engage in violent protests against the Federal Government on socio-economic issues, deeming it propaganda and confirming that the protest would proceed as planned.

Last week, the Student Solidarity Group Against Fee Hike announced their intention to protest against the fee increase at the University of Lagos on September 6, 2023. Femi Adeyeye, one of the group's leaders, assured the media that the protests would proceed as scheduled, stating, "We're all set, students are ready."

In support of the students, the NANS Public Relations Officer (PRO) issued a statement on Tuesday, declaring the student body's intention to participate in the UNILAG protest and urging the DSS not to infringe upon students' rights. Giwa commented, "It is quite embarrassing that the DSS has veered into being the propaganda arm of the Federal Government, raising false alarms and interfering in matters unrelated to their professional mandate. As an association, we remain dissatisfied with how Nigerian society is managed, particularly regarding arbitrary fee hikes in our tertiary institutions. Therefore, students are encouraged to come out in large numbers and join the protest to demand the immediate reversal of fees at the University of Lagos."

The University of Lagos management had increased fees in July 2023, citing "prevailing economic realities" as the rationale behind the hike. However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, emphasised that protesting is a fundamental human right, and the police request that students inform them in advance to implement appropriate measures. Hundeyin stated, "The police do not prohibit protesters. It is their inherent right. We only advise them to inform the police so that necessary measures can be taken."