By IndyPress News Desk
Akinteye Babatunde, President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has urged Students’ Union Government (SUG) presidents across Nigerian tertiary institutions to mobilise students against tuition fee increases and to stop shortchanging the essence of unionism for personal benefits from school managements.
Mr Babatunde, in a statement on Sunday posted on his personal handle, advised students to organise themselves and peacefully shut down their institutions to express their opposition whenever management announces an increase in tuition fees.
“When your school management announces an increase in tuition fees, the first thing students should do is organise themselves, mobilise, and peacefully shut down the school to register their displeasure,” Akinteye said.
He urged SUG presidents to lead such protests and collectively demand a reconsideration of decisions affecting students’ welfare, stressing the importance of consulting students before fee increment is instituted.
“Put your SUG President at the forefront and collectively demand that management reconsider the decision. Let your voices be heard. Make it clear that students will not accept decisions that affect their welfare without being consulted,” he noted.
The NANS president, however, expressed concern over what he described as disturbing experiences involving SUG leaders who allegedly reach agreements with school managements to support tuition fee increases in exchange for increased union allowances or dues.
He noted that in some instances some school managements increase fees after making a promise of corrupt financial reimbursement to certain SUG leaders in exchange for their cooperation.
“Management allegedly promised certain SUG leaders personal financial benefits in exchange for their cooperation. This is unfortunate!” he said.
Mr Babatunde said student unions were established to protect and represent students’ interests rather than compromise students welfare for personal gains.
He reminded SUG presidents that their primary loyalty should be to the students who elected them, warning against using students mandates to negotiate against students’ interests.
“Student leadership is a responsibility,” he noted.
