Tertiary students in Imo State have protested about high living costs, exorbitant fees, poor education standard, poor facilities, extortion, and intimidation at their respective institutions.
The students urged the federal and state governments to halt the incessant increase in their tuition fees, as well as undue extortion through handouts and textbooks, to strengthen conducive learning environments, to install medical equipment or facilities such as electricity and boreholes, and to improve quality education and moral values.
The peaceful protest in Owerri was carried out by students from the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Imo State University Owerri (IMSU), Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education Owerri, Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, and Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo, Ohaji.
The students held placards with different inscriptions.
They also complained about the high cost of living and accommodation in Imo State, which they blamed on the government’s lousy economic policy, poor infrastructure, and unemployment.
They encouraged the government to implement people-oriented measures to alleviate the students’ suffering, hunger, and poverty levels.
Valentine Nzubechi, Vice President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), addressed the demonstrators and assured them that the federal and state governments will listen to their concerns and requests to improve education quality.
The NANS Vice President stressed Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma, “who is NANS Patron, will listen to your plights, hence you should calm down. Also, we are sure that President Bola Tinubu will address these issues you raised because they are lovers of education who believe that youths are great assets and future leaders”.