A faction of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced a nationwide protest slated for September 15, 2024, in response to the recent fuel price hike by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

The factional Senate President of NANS, Comrade Henry Okunomo, issued a notification to students across the country, urging them to join the protest, which is tagged “Fuel Price Hike: A Threat to Our Future”. The protest aims to express the students’ displeasure over the new pump price and demand an immediate reversal.

In his statement, Okunomo criticized the NNPC’s leadership under Director-General Mele Kyari, accusing him of gross incompetence and failing to ensure a stable and affordable fuel supply²³. He called for Kyari’s immediate removal, stating that his tenure has been marked by unrelenting fuel price increases that have exacerbated the suffering of the masses.

“We demand an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike and a more compassionate approach to governance,” Okunomo said. “We urge all Nigerian students, civil society organizations, and the masses to join us in this peaceful demonstration as we demand a better deal for Nigerian students and the masses”.

The planned protest is expected to take place across all major cities in Nigeria, with assurances from NANS that it will be peaceful and lawful³. The student body has called on the government to take necessary measures to maintain law and order during the protest.