NEW YEAR ADDRESS:

NANS President Felicitates with Nigerian Students on the New Year and Calls for a Renewed Focus on Education and Security.

Abuja, 30/12/2023.


The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) extends warm greetings and heartfelt felicitations to all Nigerian students, both at home and in Diaspora, on the occasion of the New Year. As we usher in 2024, we reflect on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, particularly in the educational sector.

The year 2023 was marred by incessant increments in school fees across our tertiary institutions. This unwarranted burden placed on students and their families has hindered access to education and threatened the future of many promising young minds. NANS strongly condemns this trend and calls on the Federal Government to urgently address the issue by convening an Education Summit.

The purpose of the Education Summit is to review the state of education in previous years, assess where we were, where we are currently and where we should be in the future, and chart a course for the future. By bringing together stakeholders from various sectors, we can identify the gaps in our educational system and develop strategies to bridge them. NANS urges the Federal Government to prioritize investment in the educational sector, as this will not only enhance the quality of education but also contribute to the growth of our economy.

Investments in education have a multiplier effect, as when we massively invest in the education sector, it has the potential to attract foreign students to our institutions. When our education system is robust and internationally appealing, more students from abroad will choose to study in Nigeria, thereby bringing in foreign exchange and leading to an increased foreign reserved. This influx of foreign students will not only enrich our cultural diversity but also boost our economy and contribute to a stronger nation. We have the strategies mapped out, ours is to present same to the government at all level for implementation.

In addition to addressing the financial challenges faced by students, the issue of campus security cannot be overlooked. NANS emphasizes the need for enhanced security measures to protect the lives and property of students. It is disheartening to witness the recurring incidents of kidnappings by bandits and terrorists, violence, cultism, and other criminal activities within our institutions, this must urgently come to a stop. NANS calls on relevant authorities at all levels to prioritize the security of our campuses and ensure a safe learning environment for all students.

As we embark on this new year, NANS remains committed to advocating for the rights and welfare of Nigerian students. We will continue to engage with government agencies, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to ensure that the educational sector receives the attention it deserves.

NANS wishes all Nigerian students a prosperous and successful year ahead. Let us seize this opportunity to work together, overcome challenges, and build a stronger educational system that will shape the future of our great nation.


Comr. Pedro Obi GCNS,
President,
National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).