The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed concern over a recent call by the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) urging the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark on a statewide strike and mass protests. While acknowledging that it is within the rights of individuals and groups to call on trade unions to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of expression and association, NANS cautioned that such rights must be exercised responsibly.
NANS Position on the Strike Call
In a statement signed by Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, National President of NANS, the association said it was deeply saddened by the recurring abduction of schoolchildren, describing it as heartbreaking that pupils sent to school to learn are now becoming “pawns and objects of negotiation” in the hands of kidnappers. However, it stressed that no responsible government, especially in an election period, would stand by while terrorists disrupt education and deny children access to schooling.
Call for Unity Over Disruption
According to NANS, rather than calling on labour unions to shut down the country—which it argued aligns with the objectives of terrorists—stakeholders should unite against insecurity and support coordinated efforts to rescue victims. The student body drew comparisons with other countries, noting that during the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, citizens set aside internal differences to support government efforts in responding to the crisis and securing the release of hostages, some of whom were held for extended periods before being freed.
Historical Resilience and Collective Action
NANS also referenced Nigeria’s historical resilience, citing the civil war between 1967 and 1970 and past predictions of national disintegration that the country survived through unity. The association further noted that Nigeria’s challenge with terrorism should not be treated as a burden for government alone, urging citizens and stakeholders to adopt a collective approach to national security. “Governments will come and go, but the citizens shall remain,” the statement read, adding that Nigeria must unite to confront insecurity and ensure lasting peace.
