Two major Nigerian student unions have withdrawn their planned protests against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) after admitting their initial allegations were based on unverified information.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) had previously issued separate petitions demanding the resignation of NMDPRA CEO, Engr. Farouk Ahmed, over alleged mismanagement of public funds, job and contract racketeering, and abuse of office.
Initial Protest Plans
In petitions dated May 27, 2025, both student bodies had threatened to mobilize millions of students nationwide against the NMDPRA leadership. NANS had scheduled a clarification visit to the NMDPRA headquarters for June 4-5, 2025, while NAPS had set June 12, 2025, as their protest date.
However, in a surprising reversal, both unions have now withdrawn their demands and cancelled their protest notices.
NANS Apologizes for Unfounded Allegations
In a letter dated June 2, 2025, NANS Public Relations Officer, Comrade Opeyemi Samson Ajasa, issued an apology for any inconvenience caused by their earlier statement. The union cited further investigations and stakeholder engagements that revealed the allegations were unfounded.
"We have discovered that the issues raised in our earlier correspondence are unfounded, misleading, and do not accurately reflect the true state of affairs within the agency," the NANS statement read.
The student body expressed readiness to collaborate with Engr. Farouk Ahmed and the NMDPRA to bridge communication gaps between the youth constituency and the agency. They acknowledged their earlier letter was based on incomplete information and committed to addressing concerns through constructive engagement rather than protests.
NAPS Follows Suit
Similarly, NAPS withdrew its protest notice in a letter dated May 3, 2025, signed by Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan. The polytechnic students' union emphasized the need for constructive dialogue and responsible engagement with the NMDPRA leadership.
"We believe that protests should be a last resort, and we are willing to engage with the NMDPRA leadership to resolve our concerns," Oghayan stated in the letter.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in public institutions while protecting the interests of its members through peaceful dialogue.
This development marks a significant shift in the approach of the student bodies, who now appear to favor dialogue over confrontation in addressing their concerns with the petroleum regulatory authority.
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