The National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS) has declared plans for a mass protest, citing prolonged neglect of the education sector and unpaid scholarships across the state.
The students issued the declaration on Saturday, saying their planned demonstration comes after more than a year of unfulfilled promises and deteriorating conditions in schools, including dilapidated structures and unsafe learning environments.
In a statement, NANISS said the group had exhausted dialogue with authorities and pursued community-led initiatives in an effort to resolve the matter peacefully.
“For records, we engaged Niger State Representatives, Traditional leaders, held Emergency Student Engagement, organised Special fasting and prayers among many others,” the students’ statement read.
“Having patiently waited for over one year and engaged in extensive consultations without any positive response from the Niger State Government regarding the non-payment of scholarships and the urgent need to give adequate attention to the education sector, we are compelled to take action,” NANISS added.
The students have issued a seven-day ultimatum, warning that failure to respond meaningfully would lead to a peaceful mass protest to press their demands.
The student leadership emphasised their commitment to non-violence, stating, “We remain peaceful and committed to ensuring the rights of Niger State students are respected and protected.”
The protest plans follow warnings from civic organisations about the deteriorating state of educational institutions in the state. MonITNG, a civic tech group, recently called on Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to intervene in the dire conditions at Government Technical College, Bida. The institution, once a centre of technical training, is reportedly in ruins, with collapsed structures and roofs blown off by heavy winds, leaving classrooms unsafe and unfit for learning.
According to MonITNG, this situation persists despite billions of naira allocated by previous administrations, as well as federal and international support.
The organisation noted that the current state government continues to claim that 70 per cent of the 2025 budget is directed toward education and health, while ₦250 billion in UBEC intervention funds remain available.
The watchdog stressed that neglecting technical colleges deprives young people of essential vocational skills in carpentry, electrical work, and mechanical training — skills crucial for improving livelihoods and contributing to local economic growth. “Education should not be a privilege; it is the foundation of development. Niger State cannot continue like this,” MonITNG stated.
As the seven-day ultimatum begins, students and civic groups alike are calling on the Niger State Government to address the issues urgently, underscoring growing frustration among youths over the state’s handling of education and scholarship disbursement.
