As Nigeria prepares for a nationwide protest scheduled from August 1-10, 2024, the Federal Government has given important instructions to university leaders. Minister of Education Tahir Mamman has told all university vice-chancellors to take necessary steps to protect their schools. This decision comes in response to growing dissatisfaction among Nigerians with current governance issues.
In a recent announcement, Chris Maiyaki, the acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), shared the minister’s orders. Maiyaki stressed that vice-chancellors should clearly assure both staff and students that their safety is a priority. He encouraged university leaders to implement safety measures and keep their communities informed about their security.
The instructions also suggest that students should stay on campus during the protest period to avoid any potential dangers from the demonstrations. Although the Federal Government supports the right to peaceful protests, there is concern about how these protests might affect university communities and property.
The upcoming protest is a response to recent government reforms, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira. These changes have increased living costs and caused widespread discontent. Last week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with traditional rulers, governors, and security officials to address these issues and explain why these reforms are necessary for Nigeria’s future.
Additionally, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, also met with ministers to prepare for the protests. These discussions aim to plan for possible disruptions and to show the government’s commitment to managing public concerns while keeping order.
