Students Protest Against Ondo State Government Over Unfulfilled Promises

Students in Ondo State, Nigeria, are facing mounting economic challenges, and their frustration has reached a boiling point. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has lashed out at Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, criticizing his administration for failing to fulfill promises made to alleviate the suffering of students in the state.

During a press conference in Akure, the state capital, NANS Joint Campus Council, Ondo axis, led by President Comrade Joshua Oluwarotimi and General Secretary Comrade Oluwanishola Ajibola, expressed concern over the delayed provision of palliatives and education grants to students. The student body commended Aiyedatiwa for approving and disbursing bursaries and scholarships for indigenous students, but urged him not to delay further in keeping his promises.

The economic challenges facing students in the state are stark. Fuel price hikes have led to a sharp increase in transportation costs, making it difficult for students to commute to school. Food prices have also skyrocketed, worsened by the steep rise in the dollar’s exchange rate. Many students rely on generators for power, but the increased cost of fuel has made it difficult to sustain this. The result is prolonged darkness and disruptions to studies.

To make matters worse, the Ondo State Government promised to provide 12 buses for student mobility across the state, but despite reportedly paying 70% of the project funds, these buses have yet to arrive. The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Affairs, Hon. Kevin Solomon Olaolu, has reassured students that the buses will soon arrive, but the waiting game is taking a toll on students’ morale.

The students are also urging the government to reconsider a recent increase in tuition fees across state institutions, amid a national economic crisis that is already placing a significant burden on students. Amidst the challenges, NANS is calling on the Ondo State Government to provide financial relief to students and fulfill its promises of palliatives and education grants.

As the crisis deepens, students in Ondo State are increasingly frustrated and anxious about the future. With the promise of a better education at stake, it remains to be seen whether the Ondo State Government will listen to the students’ plea and take concrete steps to alleviate their suffering.