UNILAG students protest fee hike

By Faith Enang

The Lagos State Police Command has urged the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to inform the command of the planned protest slated for today, September 6, 2023, at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

NANS had warned the Department of State Services not to prevent students from exercising their rights to protest, saying it is a universally recognised human right.

The National Public Relations Officer of the union, Giwa Temitope, had said that the statement made by DSS on Monday that some politicians were mobilising student leaders for violent protest against the Federal Government over socioeconomic matters was propaganda, adding that the protest would go on as planned.

Last week, a group, Student Solidarity Group Against Fee Hike, revealed that it would protest against the fee hike at the university premises on September 6, 2023.

One of the leaders of the group, Femi Adeyeye, told our correspondents on Tuesday that the protests would go on as planned. “We’re all set, students are ready,” Adeyeye said.

But the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, when contacted, said the protest is a fundamental human right and the command is only asking the students to inform the police for measures to be put in place.

The PPRO said, “The police do not give permission to protesters. It’s their inalienable right. They are only advised to inform the police so that adequate measures can be put in place.