The student union leaders at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Osun State, and the Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State have rejected the rice palliatives distributed by President Bola Tinubu to Student Union Government (SUG) Presidents in tertiary institutions across the country.
In separate statements, the union leaders criticised the gesture, stating that the distribution of rice palliatives fails to address the fundamental challenges facing Nigerian students.
The SUG President at OAU, Damilola Isaac, said he had not received any rice palliatives and would not accept them even if they were delivered.
Mr Isaac emphasised that his administration’s 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.”
“Whether or not the release was authentic, it has become imperative that I address this issue,” he said.
He suggested that the government should prioritise palliatives that reduce tuition burdens and improve university infrastructure.
“While the government may have intentions of goodwill, it is imperative that efforts be directed towards improving the quality of education, reducing tuition burdens, upgrading infrastructure, and enhancing opportunities for students across the country,” he said.
“I urge the general public and the entire Great Ife community to disregard the claims associated with my name in the release. Rest assured, this administration remains committed to championing the interests of Great Ife students and standing for the ideals of accountability and integrity.”
Meanwhile, the President of the Students’ Representative Council at ABU, Ibrahim Nazeer, also rejected the palliatives, stating that he would not accept his share “until he is assured that there is enough rice for his fellow students.”
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Abdulrazak Shuaibu, Mr Nazeer commended President Tinubu for initiatives such as NELFUND, which has benefited thousands of students.
He, however, stressed that his decision to reject the palliatives was driven by a sense of fairness rather than personal grievances.
“I will not accept my share unless it is accompanied by a substantial allocation for my fellow students. I want to be clear that I will only take my share if it comes with enough for a significant number of ABUSites; otherwise, I will not accept it,” he said.
“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.”
According to report, two bags of 25kg rice were allocated for distribution to each SUG presidents of all universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
Mr Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Students Engagement, Asefon Sunday, had mentioned that two student leaders from each zone were invited to Abuja to receive the palliatives on behalf of other SUG presidents in their domains.
He said it is impossible for the government to distribute rice to all Nigerian students and, therefore, selected student leaders to benefit from the palliatives.
Mr Sunday explained that the beneficiaries of the palliatives include the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the National Association of University Students (NAUS) and SUG presidents of all Nigerian tertiary institutions.
