The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has elected a new president, marking a new chapter for the influential student body. In a high-energy election held earlier this week, the newly elected president, Chike Uche, took office with a firm promise to resist the government’s proposed tuition fee hikes and advocate for affordable education across the country.
Uche, who previously served as the vice president of the association, has been a vocal critic of rising educational costs and has vowed to lead the charge in opposing any increase in tuition fees that could further burden Nigerian students. Addressing a packed auditorium following his victory, Uche stated, “Education is a fundamental right, and no student should be denied access to learning because of financial constraints. We will stand united in our resistance to any tuition hike that seeks to exploit the future of our youth.”
The election, which attracted thousands of student delegates from universities across Nigeria, was seen as a pivotal moment for the student movement. Uche’s mandate comes at a time when there is growing concern among students and academics about the financial accessibility of higher education in Nigeria.
The new president’s immediate priority will be to rally students nationwide in protests and advocacy campaigns against the tuition increase, which has sparked widespread criticism from various student unions, activists, and education advocates. Uche’s leadership will be tested as the government continues to push forward with the proposed fee hikes, despite strong opposition from student groups.
“With the full backing of NANS, we will not only challenge these hikes but also push for better funding and infrastructure for public universities,” Uche promised, pledging to continue the association’s long-standing tradition of activism and advocacy for students’ rights.
The announcement has sparked a renewed sense of unity among students, who are gearing up for coordinated actions across the country. As the debate over tuition fees continues to simmer, the newly elected NANS president is poised to become a central figure in the ongoing struggle for affordable education in Nigeria.
source: thenationonlineng.net
