The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has declared a state of emergency over hostel conditions in tertiary institutions across the country, citing what it described as the deteriorating state of student accommodation.
The obsersation was made by NANS President, Babatunde Akinteye, popularly known as Babtee, during the inauguration of the association’s national leadership.
According to Akinteye, the association will begin pushing for improved hostel facilities, arguing that many students are living in unsafe and unsuitable accommodation.
“We declare a State of Emergency on students’ hostel conditions across Nigeria. The worsening state of accommodation in many tertiary institutions has become unacceptable, and NANS is committed to ensuring that students are provided with safe, conducive, and habitable living environments,” he said.
Akinteye also announced that the association had resolved to relocate its national headquarters to Anambra State, saying the move was intended to press for the release of student leaders whom NANS alleged were being unlawfully detained.
The NANS president condemned what the association described as the illegal detention of its members and called on Magistrate Nnamdi Aduma, who he identified as the Financial Secretary of the Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria, to ensure that due process is followed in the matter.
“We strongly condemn what we consider the illegal detention of our comrades and call on Magistrate Nnamdi Aduma to ensure that justice prevails and that due process is respected.
“NANS will continue to stand firmly in defense of the rights, welfare and freedom of Nigerian students. We will not be intimidated or silenced in our pursuit of justice,” Akinteye said.