The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has confirmed it will not participate in the upcoming national protest against the Nigerian government.
This was announced by NANS President, Mr Lucky Emonefe, during a panel discussion at the Education Stakeholders’ Forum organized by the Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN).
The panel, which included Mr Victor Ahiuma-Young, Labour Editor of Vanguard newspaper, and Mr Osa Director, a journalist and lawyer, unanimously agreed that the lack of a clear leadership for the protest is its major flaw.
They expressed concerns that without defined leadership, the protest could become chaotic and potentially violent, drawing parallels to the 2020 EndSARS protests that were hijacked by hoodlums.
Ahiuma-Young emphasised the necessity of having leaders to guide protests, citing his experience as a labour reporter.
“The planned protest has no arrowhead and that is a recipe for disaster,” he warned. “If it is a protest organised by the labour movement, they would have a purpose, a duration, and mechanisms to control events.”
Director underscored the constitutional right to protest, noting that even President Bola Tinubu has a history rooted in protests, such as his involvement with NADECO and Occupy Nigeria.
He cautioned against politicizing and ethnicising the protest, asserting that Nigerians have the right to express their grievances.
Emonefe reiterated that NANS would not be drawn into a leaderless protest.
“Nobody will lure Nigerian students to go on a faceless strike. We have a leadership that we are proud of,” he stated. Emonefe also stressed that NANS makes decisions through consultation and will not be used for selfish agendas.
The panelists urged the government to address the underlying issues causing public discontent to prevent the situation from escalating into anarchy.
EWAN Chairman, Mr Mojeed Alabi, pledged the association’s commitment to fostering public discourse on important national issues and educating the populace.
The panel discussion highlighted the critical need for structured leadership in protests to ensure they remain focused and peaceful, while also recognizing the legitimate rights of citizens to voice their concerns.
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