NANS Coordinators send message to Tinubu over unfulfilled promise

The Zonal Coordinators of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fulfill his promise to provide buses for students’ union bodies in government-owned universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide.

This pledge, made on July 13, 2023, by the then Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake, has generated significant expectations within the student community.

In a statement released by the NANS Zonal Coordinators, including Com. Bilal Kurfi (Zone A), Com. Daniel Egga (Zone C), Com. Alao John (Zone D), Com. Bappa Adam (Zone E), and Com. Chidi Nzekwe (Zone F), they expressed concern that, months later, the buses have not yet been delivered to the respective institutions.

The NANS coordinators emphasized that President Tinubu’s administration had recognized the importance of easing the transportation burden for students, especially given the rising fuel prices following the removal of fuel subsidies. The initiative was seen as a critical measure to alleviate the financial strain on students and their families.

“The President’s vision was clear: to ensure that no student is left behind due to economic challenges, and that accessing education remains a fundamental right, not a privilege limited by financial constraints,” the statement said. However, the failure to fully deliver on this promise has left students and their families grappling with the same transportation challenges the initiative aimed to resolve.

The coordinators raised concerns about the government’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens, particularly the youth, who are the nation’s future. They stressed that a government’s credibility is built on trust and the ability to deliver on its commitments, warning that unfulfilled promises could erode public trust and undermine governance.

The NANS Zonal Coordinators urged President Tinubu to act swiftly to ensure the buses are provided without further delay, emphasizing that this is not just a matter of convenience but a critical need affecting the daily lives and academic success of students across the country. They also called on the President to maintain vigilance over the administration of federal universities, ensuring that no arbitrary increases in school fees or other charges further burden students.

“We, the Zonal Coordinators of NANS, stand firm in our position that the Government of the day must be one that honors its word. We expect the President to uphold the trust placed in him by the Nigerian students and act in accordance with his promises,” the statement concluded. “The time to act is now, and we are watching closely. The welfare of Nigerian students should remain a top priority, and we expect nothing less than a full commitment from the President and his administration.”