Lucky Emonefe, President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has stated that his administration will resist the increase in school fees at tertiary institutions across the country.
He stated that NANS was ready to defend the interests of all Nigerian students.
He also appealed for reconciliation among NANS members, particularly disgruntled candidates who lost in the recently concluded Abuja election, saying that a united student union will benefit Nigerian students.
The president of the student union made the statement at a stakeholders’ press conference in Abuja on Monday, when some student leaders, including the newly-elected NANS Senate President, Afeez Akinteye, met to declare support for his administration.
Emenofe said, “I appreciate Nigerian students electing me as their president to represent their interests at the national level.
“Concerning the recent increase in school fees, my administration would do everything in our power to fight against the increase.
“There’s a very recent case at the University of Calabar where school fees were increased by the management, and we have mandated the zonal and state student leaders to intervene. But if they’re unable to resolve the matter, we will intervene in the interests of Nigerian students.”
Earlier in the press conference, some of the runner-ups, including Edom John, Stephen Edidiong, Boniface Emesowun, and Enomfon Umoisien, as well as the NANS Senate President-elect, Afeez Akinteye, and the Clerk-elect, Oladimeji Uthman, declared their support for Emonefe while recognizing him as the duly-elected NANS President.