By Ikenna Ngere

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced plans for a nationwide protest that will effectively shut down major cities across Nigeria starting on September 15, 2024.

Naija News reports that the protest is a reaction to the recent hike in fuel prices and the perceived failure of the Director General of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari.

NANS is demanding an immediate reversal of the fuel price increase and the removal of Mele Kyari from his position.

The student union has vowed to occupy major cities across the country if these demands are not met by the specified date. They have emphasized that the protest will be peaceful and within the bounds of the law.

In preparation for the protest, NANS has notified several security agencies, including the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Chief of Defence Staff, and all state governors, ensuring that they are aware of the planned shutdown.

In a circular distributed to stakeholders, NANS stated, “We write to notify you of an impending massive shutdown of all major cities in Nigeria, effective 15th September 2024, in protest of the recent hike in fuel prices and the gross incompetence of the NPC Director General, Mele Kyari.

“The incessant increase in fuel prices has brought untold hardship to the masses, and we can no longer stand idly by while our future is mortgaged 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 wake up to this clarion call, as we will be occupying all major cities on the 15th of September, 2024. We shall not be silenced, and we shall not be intimidated. We shall rise in unison to demand a better deal for Nigerian students and the masses.

“We urge you to take necessary measures to maintain law and order during the shutdown, as we assure you that our protest will be peaceful and lawful.”