The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has kicked against the nationwide increment of fuel prices from N180 to N450 per litre.

In a statement on Tuesday by its South-West coordinator, Adejuwon Olatunji, NANS threatened to shut down petrol stations in the South-West region over the purported increment.

The students association expressed its displeasure over the hardship and agony that Nigerians, most especially students, will bear due to the price increment in the South-West.

The association declared a protest over the actions of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPCL), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria to increase fuel pump price. 

“We insist that our action to occupy oil outlets by shutting down all Petroleum Station throughout Southwest Nigeria is in tandem with the show of democracy and a way to say No to concurrent hardship on Nigerians and Nigerian Students in particular,” the statement said.

NANS said its members will be informed about the protest timetable within 48 hours. 

The association warned that any attack or assaults on its members contravene human rights and their right rights to assemble as a union.

“Meanwhile, Modus operandi of protest, the timetable of protest across Southwestern Nigerian States (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti) shall be released in less than 48 hours in our next press release.

“Any attack on our protest would be a contravention and an assault on the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, 1981, a treaty-turned-Act which does not accommodate derogation in any form and Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) which provided for Right to Freedom of Association and Assembly,” the statement said.

Recently, Mele Kyari, managing director of NNPCL petrol can no longer be priced at N170 per litre because the value is three times higher than the price it is being sold in Nigeria.

“It is not possible for you to buy fuel at N170 when your actual cost is thrice that value.For instance, today, when PMS comes into this country, we transfer to marketers at N113 per litre for us to ensure N165 at the pump,” Mr Kyari said.