The National Association of Nigerian Students in the Republic of Niger has demanded an immediate investigation into a disputed list of accredited institutions in Niger.
The students alleged that the list, attributed to the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission, was not authenticated by the competent authorities in Niger.
The Chairman, NANS-RN Stakeholders Committee, Amb. Mukailu Ibrahim Mai Lafiya, made the demand at a press conference on Saturday.
Mai Lafiya said the Nigerian government had initially obtained a list of accredited institutions in Niger through the appropriate diplomatic channel.
According to him, the original list was transmitted through the Nigerian Embassy in Niger and subsequently confirmed by the relevant Nigerian authorities.
He, however, said another list later emerged through the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission.
“NANS Republic of Niger disagrees with the use of that list,” he said.
Mai Lafiya said members of the association travelled to Niger to verify the disputed document with the Nigerian Embassy and the Nigerien Ministry of Higher Education.
He said their findings did not establish that the disputed list originated from the competent authorities in Niger.
“Who prepared the list? Who originated it? Where did it come from? And why was it not subjected to confirmation as the original diplomatic list?” he queried.
The NANS-RN chairman said an updated list of accredited institutions dated September 2026 had also been transmitted through the appropriate authorities.
He urged the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage the Nigerien Government directly to authenticate the list through the proper diplomatic channel.
Mai Lafiya also called on the Minister of Education to investigate the process surrounding the disputed list.
He specifically raised concerns about the alleged involvement of some ministry officials, particularly those within the Department of Education Support Services.
“If any official is found, after proper investigation, to have obstructed, manipulated, withheld or interfered with legitimate processes, appropriate administrative and legal action should follow,” he said.
He warned that no individual should be allowed to place personal interests above the future of more than 25,000 Nigerian graduates.
“Seven years is not seven days, and our future is not for sale,” Mai Lafiya said.
Also speaking, the NANS-RN President, Muhammad Abubakar Uwaisu, alleged that some Nigerian students, particularly student leaders, had faced intimidation over their participation in the advocacy.
He said the association would not abandon students affected by the controversy.
“Let us tell the truth. Do not mistake our peaceful approach. We won’t be intimidated, we won’t be silent anymore, and we won’t abandon the students we represent,” Uwaisu said.
He said the association would continue to pursue dialogue while documenting any alleged acts of intimidation or obstruction.
“We are students. We are not terrorists. And we are fighting for the interests of our students and for our interests,” he added.
The NANS-RN president said the association would remain within the law while demanding what it described as justice for Nigerian students and graduates from institutions in Niger.
In his remarks, the NANS-RN Secretary, CMRD Abba Kamilu, questioned the rationale behind any action that could delay the recognition of graduates affected by the disputed list.
“Do you have children of your own? Will you accept this suffering for them?” Kamilu asked.
“How can you sleep peacefully while destroying innocent people’s dreams?
“Who gave you the right to sacrifice our future?
“Our future is not for sale.”
The student leaders called for the authentic list to be verified, the disputed document investigated and responsibility established where wrongdoing is proven.
They also urged the relevant Nigerian and Nigerien authorities to resolve the matter through the established diplomatic process.
Meanwhile,in January 2024, Federal Government banned 18 foreign universities operating in Nigeria, describing them as “degree mills,’’ warning Nigerians to avoid enrolling in such institutions.
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