Willy Okonji-
LAGOS – The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed strong displeasure over the rising cost of transportation, accusing transport operators of exploiting Nigerians despite a recent reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
This situation has been particularly burdensome for students returning to campuses after the festive season. Comrade Oladimeji Uthman, Clerk of the Senate at the NANS National Secretariat, decried the fare hikes, describing them as “insensitive and exploitative.”
He noted that millions of Nigerian students are struggling to afford transportation due to what he termed as “predatory behavior” by transport unions, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).
“As Nigerian students prepare to return to their various campuses across the country, we are particularly affected by the sharp rise in transportation costs at various motor parks,” Uthman said. “Many of our members rely on affordable transportation to travel back to their institutions after the Yuletide period, but instead, they are being subjected to unconscionable price hikes that have made mobility a privilege only a few can afford.”
Uthman called the actions of transport operators “a dangerous lack of empathy and patriotism,” adding that their behavior contradicts the government’s efforts to ease the financial burden on citizens.
The President of NANS, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, further criticized the transport unions for defying economic logic, saying, “The reduction in fuel prices should naturally translate to lower transportation costs. Instead, we see a blatant disregard for the well-being of Nigerians, plunging the masses into unnecessary hardship.”
NANS has issued a stern warning to transport unions, demanding that fares be immediately adjusted to reflect the reduced cost of fuel. “Relevant regulatory agencies from the Ministry of Transportation must step up and enforce fair pricing mechanisms,” the association stated. “Transport unions that fail to comply should face strict sanctions.”
The student body also urged the Federal Government to extend its transport palliative initiative by one week to ease the financial challenges faced by students returning to school. “This extension will specifically alleviate the hardships of Nigerian students during this critical period of resumption,” NANS emphasized.
NANS has vowed to mobilize students nationwide for peaceful protests and other lawful actions if transport fares are not significantly reduced.
“As the voice of Nigerian students, we will not stand by and watch the rights and welfare of our members trampled upon. We will hold the leadership of transport unions accountable for the hardship inflicted on Nigerians,” Uthman warned.
The association concluded by calling on all stakeholders, including the Federal Government and regulatory agencies, to act swiftly in addressing the exploitation by transport operators.
“This is a fight for fairness and justice,” NANS declared, “and Nigerian students will not back down.”
