Students Threaten Protest Over Outdoor Advertising

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has declared a showdown with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), threatening to mobilise students for massive protests over alleged intimidation, unethical practices and conflict of interest within its Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS).

In a press statement, the student body accused senior DOAS officials of monopolising the outdoor advertising industry in Abuja, specifically targeting young practitioners like Comrade Dr. Donald Amagbo, a licensed advertiser and former NANS leader.

The statement which was signed by the national secretary general, Comrade Anzaku Shedrack Ovye, alleged that the officials, who own private advertising firms, were using their regulatory power to stifle competition.

“This is a classic case of civil servants moonlighting as entrepreneurs to enrich themselves at the expense of young professionals.

“DOAS-FCTA has become a rogue department, operating against the spirit of the Constitution and recent court orders on local government autonomy,” he stated.

NANS outlined a pattern of harassment, claiming DOAS has deployed security agencies and media proxies against Amagbo and other technical partners of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

The association vowed to defend its ambassador, whom it described as a man of integrity and self-esteem.

“We are drawing a line in the sand. Any further harassment of Comrade Amagbo will be met with fierce and immediate resistance from the entire Nigerian student body,” he said.

The student union also demanded the immediate scrapping of the DOAS, a probe into its officials for corruption and abuse of office, the establishment of a new, professional regulatory agency to be headed by a licensed practitioner from ARCON or OAAN, not a civil servant.

“We warn that if these cabalistic activities persist, we will be left with no choice but to occupy the DOAS and FCTA secretariats in peaceful but massive protests,” he stated.