Niger Students Set For Mass Protest Over Neglect And Unpaid Scholarships

The National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS) has announced plans to stage a mass protest over what it describes as prolonged neglect of the education sector and the non-payment of scholarships by the state government.

In a statement issued on Saturday, NANISS said it had run out of patience after more than a year of broken promises, deteriorating school facilities, and stalled scholarship disbursements.

The group explained that it had tried all peaceful approaches, including engaging lawmakers, traditional leaders, emergency student meetings, fasting, and prayers, but received no positive response.

“Having patiently waited for over one year and engaged in extensive consultations without any positive response from the Niger State Government regarding the non-payment of scholarships and the urgent need to give adequate attention to the education sector, we are compelled to take action,” NANISS said.

The students’ body issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government to act or face a peaceful mass protest.

Meanwhile, concerns over Niger’s education system deepened earlier when civic tech group MonITNG urged Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to address the collapse of Government Technical College, Bida. The school, once a hub for vocational training, is now in ruins, with broken structures and roofless classrooms.

This is despite claims by the government that 70% of the 2025 budget is earmarked for education and health, alongside ₦250 billion in UBEC intervention funds. MonITNG warned that the continued decay of technical colleges denies young people vital skills in carpentry, mechanics, and electrical work — training that could boost both livelihoods and local economies.

“Education should not be a privilege, it is the foundation of development. Niger State cannot continue like this,” the watchdog stated.