Student union leaders at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State, have outrightly rejected rice palliatives distributed by President Bola Tinubu to Student Union Government (SUG) Presidents across tertiary institutions.
The leaders argued that the palliatives fail to address the critical issues confronting Nigerian students and the education sector.
According to Premium Times, the SUG President at OAU, Damilola Isaac, stated emphatically that he had not received any rice palliatives and would not accept them even if they were delivered.
“Our focus remains on advocating for better educational standards and student welfare rather than accepting handouts that do not address the systemic challenges facing the Nigerian education sector,” he said.
Isaac highlighted the need for structural reforms over token relief measures.
“While the government may have intentions of goodwill, efforts should be directed towards improving the quality of education, reducing tuition burdens, upgrading infrastructure, and enhancing opportunities for students across the country,” he added.
Naija News reports that he urged the Great Ife community to disregard any claims associating his name with the distribution and reiterated his administration’s commitment to championing student interests with integrity and accountability.
ABU Leader Demands Fairness
Similarly, the President of the Students’ Representative Council at ABU, Ibrahim Nazeer, rejected the palliatives, stating he would not accept his share unless assured of equitable distribution among students.
“I will not accept my share unless it is accompanied by a substantial allocation for my fellow students. If there isn’t enough for a significant number of ABUSites, I will not take it,” Nazeer declared.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Abdulrazak Shuaibu, Nazeer acknowledged President Tinubu’s student-focused initiatives, such as NELFUND, which he said had positively impacted thousands.
However, he emphasized the importance of addressing broader economic conditions. “Instead of distributing rice periodically, we implore the government to concentrate on creating conditions that will enable people to afford necessities like rice on their own,” he said.
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