The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urgently called on President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to address the severe economic hardships, particularly the hunger, that Nigerians are currently facing. The student body, through its Clerk of the Senate, Abdulyekinn Odunayo, expressed deep concern over the escalating poverty and deprivation afflicting the population.

In a statement released on Saturday in Abeokuta, Odunayo lamented that the policies of the current administration have exacerbated the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. He particularly highlighted the dual impact of the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the national currency, which have plunged the country deeper into economic turmoil, leading to widespread hunger and a surge in the cost of living.

While Odunayo acknowledged the positive step of the student loan program introduced by the Tinubu administration, he emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive economic reforms. He stressed that Nigerians deserve the good governance promised by the president, and the current economic situation demands an immediate response to alleviate the burden on citizens.

“The situation is dire. Nigerians are groaning under the weight of poverty and hunger,” the statement read. “The country has never faced such a challenging period. The combined impact of the fuel subsidy removal and the naira float has struck at the heart of the nation, leaving many families unable to afford even one meal a day, let alone three. The free-falling naira, coupled with rising costs, has compounded the suffering.”

NANS, as the voice of Nigerian students, made a passionate plea for President Tinubu to tailor his economic policies to provide both immediate relief and long-term solutions. “The government must act now to offer both short-term, medium-term, and long-term reliefs for Nigerians who are struggling to survive,” the statement concluded. “Things need to improve, as many Nigerians are finding it difficult to make ends meet.”

In this call to action, NANS seeks a response that will address the immediate needs of the people while also setting the foundation for sustainable economic recovery.