The National Association of Nigerian students (NANS) has urged the Federal Government to “halt any further increment of tuition fees and other auxiliary fees” in tertiary institutions nationwide.

President of the association, Mr Tijani Usman, said at a news conference in Abuja that the move should serve as a palliative measure aimed at cushioning the effect of the new pump price of petrol.

Usman also urged the government to provide each tertiary institution in the country with two buses to ease the transportation problem on the campuses.

“Government should halt any further increment in tuition fees and any other auxiliary fees in all tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

“Government should provide buses to tertiary institutions - two per institution - to ease transportation on our various campuses; distribute camp gas cookers to all Nigerian students, and engage students in the four zones of NANS in a town hall meeting to enlighten the students on the policy.”

He stressed the need for the establishment of an independent group to monitor the implementation of the government’s recent fuel price increase from N86.50 to N145 per litre.

Usman further urged the government to provide immediate employment for jobless graduates across the country.

He expressed the association’s support for the government’s decision to remove petroleum subsidy and called on all unions in tertiary institutions to “shun any form of protest in the interim” while negotiations continue.

“We believe that the present government of President (Muhammadu) Buhari enjoys the trust and respect of Nigerians.

“Therefore, we call on all our unions on campuses to shun any form of protest in the interim while we continue to negotiate.

“We understand that the economy is already battered and that any disruption of economic activities will do the nation no good.”

He said that the association was convinced that total deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector would improve the economy and generate employment.

The NANS president stated that the increase in the pump price of petrol will ensure availability of the product at filling stations across the country.

“NANS does not see any justification for the federal government to subsidise imported petroleum products.” (NAN)

•Photo shows NANS President, Tijani Usman.