The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Presidency, threatening to occupy the National and Zonal offices of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) in Abuja and Enugu. NANS Senate President, Ibeabuchi Onyia, stated that the commission's inability to live up to expectations since its establishment in July 2024 necessitated the threat. The SEDC was created to address decades of post-war neglect in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.
Onyia accused the commission of defeating its purpose and demanded the immediate removal of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mark Okoye. He expressed disappointment that despite Okoye's youthful leadership, the commission had not delivered on its mandate. The students' concerns were fueled by the region's continued marginalization and lack of visible progress.
The SEDC was established to rebuild broken infrastructure and revive the region, which has waited over half a century for deliberate federal attention. However, Onyia stated that more than two years after its creation and over a year after its board was inaugurated, the people of the South East had not seen any projects that had changed their lives.
NANS expressed initial support for Okoye's appointment, citing his youth and policy expertise as assets. However, Onyia stated that Okoye had failed to meet expectations, deepening the people's cynicism. The students' disappointment was compounded by the commission's claim that it was not created for "quick wins," which Onyia argued insulted a region that had waited over 50 years for progress.
The NANS Senate President emphasized that Nigerian students were the future of the South East and Nigeria and would not stay silent while their future was squandered. He urged President Tinubu to put competent, accessible, and accountable leadership in place to salvage the SEDC's mandate. The students' demands were not limited to the removal of Okoye but also included visible, honest, and accountable progress in the region.
If the ultimatum expires without consequential changes, NANS will relocate its National Headquarters to the Abuja and Enugu offices of the SEDC and engage in a peaceful, lawful, and sustained protest until their demands are met. Onyia warned that the students' patience should not be mistaken for weakness, emphasizing that they would mobilize their structures across the country if necessary.
The standoff between NANS and the SEDC highlights the challenges faced by the commission in delivering on its mandate and the growing frustration among Nigerian students and the people of the South East. The situation remains uncertain, with the 21-day ultimatum set to expire soon, and it is unclear whether the Presidency will heed the students' demands or take alternative measures to address their concerns.
Key points
- NANS has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Presidency to address its demands.
- The students are demanding the removal of SEDC's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mark Okoye.
- The SEDC was established in 2024 to address decades of post-war neglect in the South East region.
