Students across Ondo State are preparing for a major protest on Thursday, March 27, 2025, to voice their frustration over what they describe as the Ondo State Government’s persistent neglect of student welfare and deteriorating educational infrastructure. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Committee, Ondo Axis, has announced the demonstration, calling for immediate action to address long-standing issues impacting the state’s tertiary institutions.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, the student body expressed its deep dissatisfaction with the government’s continued disregard for their demands. Signed by NANS Ondo Axis Chairman Oluwarotimi Joshua and NANS South West Zone D Deputy Coordinator Naheem Ademola, the statement revealed the students’ disappointment after multiple peaceful engagements and official letters went unanswered.
“Enough is enough! Despite our repeated appeals and efforts to engage peacefully, our voices have been ignored,” the statement read. “We will not remain silent while our education and welfare continue to be neglected. The time to act is now.”
The planned protest will shine a spotlight on the many challenges faced by students in Ondo State, including the lack of student-friendly policies, poor infrastructure in schools, and alarming security concerns, especially for students participating in the Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).
Key demands from NANS include:
- Immediate implementation of student-centered policies
- Renovation and better equipping of educational facilities
- Construction and rehabilitation of student hostels
- Enhanced security for students, particularly those on SIWES programs
- Fulfillment of promises made to provide student buses
- Support for student entrepreneurship and skill acquisition programs
- Justice for the attack on NANS members in Ogbese
- Inclusion of student representatives in educational policy-making
“The attack on our members at Ogbese has not been addressed, and we will not stand idly by while students are left vulnerable and unprotected,” the statement continued, urging the government to take action before the situation escalates further.
NANS called on all students in Ondo State to join the peaceful protest, emphasizing their determination to make their voices heard and hold the government accountable for its neglect. “The power of the students must never be undermined. We are resolved to demand the quality education and welfare we deserve,” the statement concluded.
With tensions rising, all eyes will be on Ondo as students take to the streets to demand a government that prioritizes their future.
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