Reclaiming the Fire of Student Activism
There was a time when the voices of students echoed across Nigeria, shaking the foundations of power and demanding justice. From the fight against colonial rule to the struggles against military dictatorship, student activists stood at the forefront of national transformation.
They were fearless, articulate, and driven by a vision larger than themselves. Today, however, that once-fiery movement has lost its vigor. The student activism that once championed democracy and social justice has faded into complacency, reduced to whispers where there were once roars.
What happened? How did student activism lose its spark? More importantly, can it be revived? Student activism in Nigeria flourished in the 1960s through the 1980s, a period often described as its golden era. The National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS)—which later became the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)—was a formidable force.
It did not just react to injustices; it set the national agenda. Student leaders were respected voices in the corridors of power. When they marched, governments listened. When they spoke, policies changed.
But the tides turned. The once-radical movement weakened, burdened by internal divisions, political infiltration, and systemic suppression. Several factors contributed to this decline.
First, co-optation by politicians has drained the movement of its authenticity. Many student leaders now view activism as a stepping stone to political appointments rather than a call to service. Instead of fighting for students, they align with the very system they should be challenging.
The result? A generation of so-called student leaders who serve as mere puppets of politicians. Second, the loss of ideological clarity has left the movement rudderless. In the past, student activism was anchored in clear political and social philosophies.
Today, many students lack a deep understanding of the structural issues plaguing education and governance. Activism has, in many cases, become performative—loud protests without substance, agitation without strategy.
Third, fragmentation and infighting have weakened the movement. Student organizations are no longer unified in purpose. Different factions pursue personal interests rather than collective goals.
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Where there should be solidarity, there is discord. Fourth, repression by authorities has instilled fear in the hearts of students. Unlike in the past, when students boldly resisted injustice despite the risks, many now hesitate to challenge the system, knowing the consequences could be grave.
Arrests, rustications, and even violence have been used to silence dissenting voices. Despite these challenges, the spirit of student activism is not beyond revival. It can—and must—be restored.
The first step is rebuilding the student movement on a foundation of ideological clarity. Student unions and associations must return to their core purpose: advocating for students’ rights and national progress.
Leadership must be redefined as service, not an avenue for personal gain. Next, students must be mobilized around pressing issues that directly impact them—rising tuition fees, decaying infrastructure, poor government policies on education, and youth unemployment.
These are not just campus issues; they are national crises that demand organized action. Building alliances with labor unions, civil society organizations, and progressive movements is also crucial. The power of student activism has always been strongest when it does not stand alone.
History shows that real change happens when students join forces with the wider society to challenge injustice. Furthermore, technology must be leveraged for activism. In a digital era, student movements cannot afford to rely solely on physical protests.
Social media, blogs, and online platforms should be used to shape public discourse, expose corruption, and demand accountability. A well-organized digital movement can amplify voices and attract global attention.
Above all, students must rediscover the power of critical thinking. True activism is not just about raising voices—it is about offering solutions. Universities should encourage intellectual debates, policy discussions, and grassroots engagement that empower students to think critically and act strategically.
Restoring the glory of student activism is not just a dream; it is a necessity. The current generation of students must decide: will they be passive spectators in Nigeria’s unfolding history, or will they reclaim their place as catalysts of change?
The answer lies in their willingness to rise, to organize, and to fight—not for personal gain, but for the future of their country. The time for silence is over. The time to act is now.
Hafsat Sanusi Muhammed is a 200-level student of Mass Communication at MAAUN. She can be reached via: [email protected].
