Nigerian Students have given a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to reopen tertiary institution in the country; otherwise they would be forced to embark on a protest.
This resolution was reached during a virtual meeting at the weekend. The students under the umbrella body of National Association of Nigeria University Students (NAUS), National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) and National Association of College of Education Students (NANCES), said now is the time for Government to reopen schools.
The President of NANCES, Mahmud Abubakar, while speaking on the planned protest, hinted that the students will stage a protest at the Federal Ministry of Education building in Abuja, before marching to the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariats in their various states.
“The agitation is still one, which is the reopening of our campus. We just want to hear from the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, the date for resumption, as we are more open to the deadly coronavirus home than on campus, and the idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” Abubakar said.
The Students leaders also blame the Federal Government for not giving the Education Sector a top priority despite its gradual easing off of the lockdown to reopen the economy.
“Our institutions have been placed under lock and key for good six months with the claim of preventing the spread of COVID-19 on campuses. As much as we appreciate the Government for the acclaimed love, we condemn in totality the continued closure of our institutions.”
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Presidential Tax Force on COVID-19, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha during a briefing, insisted that the all schools, including tertiary institutions would reopen only when it is safe to do so.
Tertiary institutions in Nigeria have been closed for months as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has ravage global economy.
