The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to disrupt academic activities in tertiary institutions in the Southwest without proper student union structures in place.
NANS Southwest (Zone D) Coordinator, Owolewa Taiwo, made this known on Wednesday while addressing newsmen in Osogbo. He stated that banning student union activities on campus is detrimental to the welfare of students.
According to him, schools where the massive showdown will take place include Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, where management has banned student union activities.
He Said, “Institutions such as Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, and notably the University of Lagos (UNILAG) still lack functional Students’ Unions,” he said.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone D, under my leadership, believes that the absence of functional Students’ Unions is a glaring affront to the rights and aspirations of Nigerian students. We will not stand idle as students’ voices are silenced and their interests neglected.
“Having exhausted the first two Cs of Aluta (Consultation and Negotiation) in advocating for the reinstatement of the Students’ Union at these campuses, we are left with the final C: Confrontation. Therefore, we hereby issue a 14-day ultimatum to UNILAG, OSPOLY, and LAUTECH to reinstate their Students’ Unions.
“If this demand is not met, the association will mobilize a massive protest to disrupt academic activities and bring the issue to national attention. This absence undermines students’ rights and limits their ability to voice and safeguard their interests.
“Should this ultimatum pass without action, we are prepared to take decisive action to protect the rights of our students in Zone D and will not hesitate to use all available means, including mass protests, to ensure our demands are met.”
