The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced plans for a major protest within the next 72 hours to address allegations of fraudulent diversion of food supplies intended for vulnerable Nigerians.
The announcement was made in a statement on Wednesday, signed by NANS Deputy Senate President, Huzaifa Sabo Usman.
According to Usman, the protest aims to highlight the alleged misappropriation of 42,000 metric tons of food grains by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
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On August 14, 2024, NANS had filed a Freedom of Information request to NEMA regarding the alleged diversion of these food supplies.
Despite their efforts, including complaints from across the country and confirmation from several state governors that the food did not reach its intended recipients, NANS has yet to receive a satisfactory explanation from NEMA.
Usman referenced a letter from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security dated June 27, 2024, which confirmed that the food grains had been released to NEMA as directed by the President.
However, evidence suggests that NEMA staff, in collusion with corrupt state officials, diverted the grains for personal gain, depriving many Nigerians of essential supplies.
Usman criticized the scale of the diversion, indicating that it reflects deep-seated corruption involving NEMA’s Director General and management team, drawing parallels to previous scandals that incited widespread civil unrest.
In response to these serious allegations, NANS is demanding an immediate and transparent account of the distribution of the 42,000 metric tons of food grains.
Usman stated that if NEMA does not provide a satisfactory response within 72 working hours, NANS will organize a large-scale protest at the NEMA headquarters to hold accountable those responsible.
NANS is calling on students and the public to support this cause and join them in their pursuit of justice and transparency.
