The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, has raised alarm over what it described as worsening challenges facing students across the region, including persistent electricity shortages, alleged police harassment, and escalating accommodation costs.
The student body said the issues have become major obstacles affecting the welfare, safety, and academic performance of students in institutions across the six states of the Southwest.
Speaking at a press conference, the Zonal Coordinator of NANS Southwest Zone D, Adeyemo Kayode, expressed deep concern over the growing hardship students face as a result of the power crisis and the increasing cost of living around campuses.
He was joined at the briefing by chairmen of the NANS Joint Campus Committee representing institutions across the Southwest states.
According to Kayode, unreliable electricity supply has become a major burden for students who depend on stable power to carry out academic work, research, and other essential activities.
He noted that frequent outages in host communities surrounding tertiary institutions have forced many students to spend additional money on alternative power sources, including generators and charging services, further increasing their financial strain.
The NANS leader also condemned what he described as repeated incidents of harassment and intimidation of students by some officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
He alleged that some students traveling within the region have been subjected to unnecessary questioning, unlawful searches, and extortion by security personnel.
Kayode said such experiences not only create fear among students but also undermine the sense of security that should exist in a democratic society.
The association further highlighted the rising cost of accommodation in communities hosting higher institutions, describing the situation as alarming.
According to the group, landlords in several university towns have continued to increase rents beyond what many students can afford, thereby worsening the already difficult financial situation faced by many undergraduates.
Kayode explained that the surge in accommodation costs has forced some students to seek housing far away from their campuses, increasing transportation expenses and exposing them to safety risks.
He also noted that the pressure created by the rising cost of living has had a direct impact on students’ ability to focus on their studies.
The NANS Southwest Zone D leadership therefore called on federal and state governments to implement policies that would address the electricity crisis affecting campuses and surrounding communities.
The group also urged security agencies to ensure that their officers operate within the law and respect the rights of young Nigerians.
Kayode stressed that students should not be treated as suspects simply because they are young or traveling with electronic devices such as laptops and mobile phones.
In addition, the student body appealed to state governments and regulatory authorities to intervene in the housing sector around tertiary institutions to prevent exploitative rental practices.
The association said collaboration between government agencies, school authorities, landlords, and community leaders would help ensure fair and affordable accommodation for students.
Kayode emphasized that Nigerian students remain committed to contributing positively to national development but require a supportive environment that enables them to pursue their education without unnecessary hardship.
He warned that if the concerns raised by the association are not addressed, the situation could further affect the quality of education and the well-being of students across the Southwest region.
