By Muhammed Akindele
As protests swept across Nigeria, the academic lives of students in universities nationwide faced severe disruptions. Schools nearing resumption have had to delay their opening dates, while others have suspended ongoing academic calendars entirely—all to protect the safety of students and staff during these turbulent times.
Universities such as BUK have suspended academic activities, while the University of Maiduguri has postponed its resumption date. At Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, which recently reopened, the usual buzz of student life has been stifled.
Recalling, the protest lasted for four days, from August 1st to August 4, 2024, when President Tinubu addressed the situation in a broadcast.
The unrest kept students like Muhammad Uthman from returning to campus. The situation in his home state of Kogi, compounded by the insecurity in the states he would need to travel through, has made the journey back to school a perilous one.
“I’m supposed to travel from Kogi to Sokoto, passing through places like Abuja, Kaduna, and Zamfara. Given the state of the country, it feels like an impossible task. I’ve heard of young boys being shot in Kaduna, and I can’t risk it,” Uthman shared.
“For those of us studying far from home, these protests have made traveling extremely dangerous. Some days ago a ten-year-old boy in Samaru, Zaria, was killed by a stray bullet during a protest. It’s terrifying.”
Uthman’s worries aren’t just about his safety. The serious academic culture in his faculty is a constant source of anxiety. With lectures already underway, he fears that his delayed return will leave him behind.
“My delayed return to school may negatively impact my academic performance, as lectures are now underway, and the lecturers responsible for our courses will not wait for anyone,” he lamented.
“I Support Protest Despite my Fear to Resume”—Sufyan Dahiru
Sufyan Dahiru, another student at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, shares Muhammad’s fears. Living off-campus means daily commutes through areas often blocked by angry protesters.
“As a day student, I am deeply concerned about my safety during these protests. The protesters block roads, and the resulting clashes with the police create an unsafe environment for us,” he explained.
Despite his fears, Sufyan supports the protests. He believes they are the only way to make the government understand the struggles of the people.
“The removal of the fuel subsidy has made life incredibly difficult for everyone. As a student, I struggle to make ends meet. Everything is more expensive now, and it’s hard to manage with the little money I have,” Sufyan said.
“I hope the government listens and reinstates the subsidy, so we can return to our studies without the added stress of financial burdens.”
“ Protest in Maiduguri far from peace”— Unimaid Student
Speaking with The News Digest Press, Abdullahi Aliyu, a 400 law student from the university of Maiduguri maintained that the situation of the state is far from peace.
According to him, he was preparing for his second-semester resumption when the university announced an indefinite postponement of resumption due to the unrest in Borno state.
“The management of the University of Maiduguri has postponed our resumption until further notice due to the security situation in the country, resulting from the ‘End Bad Government’ protest,” he explained.
“On the first day of the protest, there were violent clashes in several areas, leading to loss of life and property. The situation was terrifying,” Aliyu recalled.
While he regrets the impact this will have on their academic calendar, he shares the frustrations driving the protests. “I hope the president reconsider the fuel subsidy removal and find a better way to implement it for the sake of all Nigerians.”
Catalyst of Crisis
On his Inauguration day, the president Of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, announced the removal of the petrol subsidies. I’m his words, “Fuel subsidy is gone,” he told a crowd in the country’s capital, Abuja
Many Nigerians were initially optimistic, hoping for a positive shift in the country’s economic landscape. However, the positive result seems not to be forthcoming as the president’s decision marked the beginning of a series of challenges for the nation, as it later turned out to deeply affect the social and economic lives of many Nigerians
Government should subdue unrest and address causes–Expert
In an interview with Dr. Ibrahim Magami from the Department of Biological Science at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, he attributed the current protests primarily to the surge in fuel prices, which has led to widespread economic hardship.
He suggested if the fuel price is reduced, which, though difficult, public sufferings could be alleviated.
To prevent future disruptions, Dr. Magami proposed several measures. ” The government should implement social programs by developing and funding programs aimed at reducing poverty, improving education, and increasing access to healthcare…investing in job creation, vocational training, and small business support, especially in rural areas, is crucial,” he said.
Nothing the importance of combating corruption, he said, “Implementing and enforcing strict anti-corruption measures and holding public officials accountable for misconduct they can even apply CHINA style.”
Potential Academic Disruption Due to Protest
Speaking further on his expertise, he expressed concern about the potential academic dangers of protest. He warned that such demonstrations could lead to school closures, interrupting the academic calendar and causing the students to miss classes.
“Even if schools manage to stay open, lectures are likely to be interrupted and reduce classroom effectiveness. The atmosphere of fear and anxiety generated by protests can significantly impact students’ concentration and overall well-being, hindering their academic performance,” Dr. Magami Noted.
He emphasized that this is particularly true for students who come from faraway states like Lagos, Kwara, and Borno to UDUS,
He said, “The protest can affect their ability to learn and also create fear from their parents…This added stress can negatively affect their mental health and academic performance.
“Several ways by which the impact of protests on students’ academic performance and well-being can be mitigated. He advocated for flexible deadlines for assignments and exams to accommodate students affected by the disruptions.”
He added, “Adjusting School Calendars by modifying school calendars or implementing makeup days to compensate for lost instructional time.”