By 9jaeye 
The National Association of University Students (NAUS) firmly opposes the proposed October 1st nationwide protest, which aims to address the various economic challenges currently affecting Nigeria. NAUS, representing thousands of university students across the country, has called on all students to avoid participating in the protest, instead urging patience and the pursuit of dialogue with the government.
In a press conference held in Abuja, NAUS National President, Comrade Josiah Peter, outlined the association’s concerns. While acknowledging the difficulties brought on by the recent fuel subsidy removal, skyrocketing food prices, and overall economic hardships, Peter emphasized the importance of engaging the government constructively rather than resorting to street protests. “We recognize the profound difficulties caused by the fuel hike and its ripple effects, but protests should only be a last resort,” he said.
Proposals to Alleviate the Impact of Economic Hardships
NAUS is advocating for tangible solutions that would ease the economic burden on students. The association has appealed to the Federal Government to provide 3,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to universities across the country. This move, they believe, would help cushion the effects of high transportation costs caused by the fuel subsidy removal.
In addition, NAUS urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to enforce uniform petrol pricing at all filling stations nationwide and ensure that refineries are fully operational to stabilize fuel prices. The student body also expressed support for the student loan scheme introduced by President Bola Tinubu, viewing it as a positive step toward improving access to education.
Commitment to Dialogue
NAUS stressed that protests are not the solution to the ongoing challenges. Instead, they promised to actively engage with the government and relevant stakeholders to ensure they address the demands of students. “Dialogue remains our best option,” Comrade Peter stated, emphasizing the association’s intent to pursue peaceful and constructive negotiations to safeguard student interests.
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