The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, issued a directive on Monday advising students in Nigerian universities to remain on campus during the planned nationwide protests in order to avoid jeopardizing their safety.
The advice was conveyed through the acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Chris Maiyaki, in a letter addressed to Vice-Chancellors of universities. A number of activists have organized a nationwide protest scheduled to take place from August 1 to 10, 2024.
The planned protest has gained momentum on social media, with hashtags such as ‘#EndBadGovernance,’ ‘#TinubuMustGo,’ and ‘#Revolution2024’ trending. Both the presidency and police authorities have urged youths to refrain from participating in the planned protests.
In light of these developments, the Minister of Education has instructed Vice-Chancellors of all Nigerian universities to take necessary measures to ensure the security and safety of the university community, including staff and students, in the event of any protest action.
The minister in his statement stated “As you may be aware, there are planned protests scheduled to take place in the near future. Your safety and well-being are of utmost importance to us, and we urge you to exercise caution and avoid participating in any potentially risky situations. It is strongly recommended that you remain on campus to maintain focus on your academic responsibilities and to minimize any potential risks associated with the planned protests”.
