NANS denies nationwide shutdown plans, condemns false news

The National Association of Nigerian Students' leadership has refuted rumours that it is organising a countrywide closure of the nation's largest cities.

NANS called the allegations "baseless" and stated that it neither announced nor supported any such protest.

NANS stated that the allegations do not represent the views or goals of our organisation in a statement released on Tuesday by Senate President Akinteye Babatunde of the association.

As to the statement, there are speculations and misinformation circulating across different platforms indicating that the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is organising a nationwide closure of major cities. These have been brought to the attention of NANS leadership.

It is our firm belief that NANS has not publicised nor approved of any protest of any kind. These reports are entirely baseless and do not reflect the position or intentions of our organisation.”

NANS said rather than disrupting the peace of the nation, it is committed to peaceful advocacy and constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders.
"As the umbrella organisation representing Nigerian students' interests, we have always been committed to peaceful advocacy and constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders," the statement states.

"We recognise that, particularly in these trying times, it is imperative that our country remain peaceful and stable. NANS will never endorse any acts that have the potential to cause civil disturbance or disturb public order.

Given that the people making the assertions are anonymous, it was advised that the public ignore them.

"We implore everyone involved—the public, the media, and the stakeholders—to ignore these untrue reports. These rumours are the work of anonymous people or organisations that want to use NANS's name for their own evil ends.

Their goal is obvious: to destabilise the country and create unnecessary tension among citizens. We categorically disassociate ourselves from any such plans or intentions.
The security authorities are thus urged to begin an extensive inquiry into the source of this false information. It is critical that the people disseminating these lies are found and brought to justice. Not only is it a threat to national security to exploit the NANS name to spread false and hazardous information, but it also does a great injustice to the millions of students who sincerely want to see constructive change through legal channels.

It also exhorted security services to track down those who make false accusations.

"We implore security agencies to take prompt action to detain any individuals or groups trying to stir up trouble or disturb the peace in our country using the name of NANS." As a group, we have to make sure that the honesty of our democratic processes and the rule of law are upheld at all times.
"The goal of NANS is still to fight for the welfare and rights of Nigerian students. Through nonviolent, legal, and productive means, we shall persist in our mission. Please be aware that NANS is adamantly committed to national unity, peace, and growth.

The statement said, "We value the public's and students' continued support from Nigeria and urge everyone to be watchful and avoid falling victim to those who would manipulate and deceive for their own personal benefit.