The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced plans for a large-scale protest that will see the shutdown of all major cities across Nigeria, starting on September 15, 2024. The protest is in response to the recent fuel price hike and what the students describe as the incompetence of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Director General, Mele Kyari.
In a notice signed by Okunomo Henry Adewumi, President of the NANS Senate, the student body demanded an immediate reversal of the fuel price increase and the removal of Kyari from his position.
The notice detailed plans for students to occupy major cities nationwide on September 15, 2024, assuring that the protest would be both peaceful and lawful.
"We hereby notify you of a massive shutdown of all major cities in Nigeria, commencing on September 15, 2024, in protest against the recent hike in fuel prices and the gross incompetence of the NNPC Director General, Mele Kyari," the notice stated.
"The continuous increase in fuel prices has inflicted severe hardship on the masses, and we can no longer stand by as our future is jeopardized by the actions of a few. We demand an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike and the removal of Mr. Kyari as the NNPC DG.
"We call on all Nigerian students across the country to respond to this urgent call to action. On September 15, 2024, we will occupy all major cities. We will not be silenced or intimidated; we will unite to demand better conditions for Nigerian students and the wider population.
"We urge the authorities to take the necessary steps to maintain law and order during the shutdown. We assure you that our protest will be peaceful and lawful," the notice concluded.