The National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS) has announced plans for a mass protest in Niger State, citing over a year of unpaid scholarships and severe neglect of the education sector. The student body issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government on Saturday, August 23, 2025, demanding immediate action to address dilapidated school infrastructure, unsafe learning environments, and stalled scholarship payments. NANISS stated it had exhausted all peaceful avenues, including dialogues with state representatives, traditional leaders, and community-led initiatives, but received no meaningful response.
The planned protest follows growing frustration among students, who highlighted the deplorable state of institutions like Government Technical College, Bida, where collapsed structures and blown-off roofs have rendered classrooms unsafe. NANISS emphasized that the government’s failure to disburse scholarships and invest in education threatens students’ academic futures and deprives them of vocational skills critical for economic growth. A civic group, MonITNG, echoed these concerns, noting that despite claims of allocating 70% of the 2025 state budget to education and health, and access to ₦250 billion in UBEC funds, tangible improvements remain absent.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has faced prior criticism for education sector challenges, with NANISS previously urging the reopening of schools closed due to security concerns. The association’s statement underscored its commitment to a peaceful demonstration but warned of action if demands are unmet by the ultimatum’s end.
