The National Association of Nigerian Students on Saturday called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately remove the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji, from office and order a probe into an alleged $279 million transfer from the Frontier Exploration Fund.
NANS, through its Forum of Zonal Coordinators covering Zones A to F, also issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Federal Government to take action against the NRS chairman, warning that failure to do so would trigger nationwide protests by Nigerian students.
The students’ body made the demands in a statement signed on behalf of the Forum of NANS Zonal Coordinators.
NANS alleged that the $279 million was transferred from the Frontier Exploration Fund account without the approvals and statutory authorisations required under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
The organisation described the alleged transfer as a serious threat to public finances and the future of Nigerian students, particularly at a time when tertiary institutions across the country continue to face funding and infrastructure challenges.
According to the students, public resources should be protected and deployed for national development rather than allegedly moved without proper statutory procedures.
NANS said, “At a time when Nigerian tertiary institutions are struggling with dilapidated infrastructure, and millions of brilliant students depend heavily on the survival of funding initiatives like the Student Loan Scheme, the unapproved movement of public wealth into unknown hands is a direct declaration of economic warfare on the future of Nigerian youth.”
The organisation further alleged that the controversy surrounding the Frontier Exploration Fund transfer was compounded by what it described as previous concerns over the NRS chairman’s relationship with legislative oversight.
It referred to the chairman’s alleged failure to honour invitations from the National Assembly, including a recent invitation by the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character over alleged irregularities relating to recruitment and nominal roll issues.
NANS argued that the allegations, if established, warranted immediate action by the Federal Government and relevant law enforcement agencies.
“Dr Adedeji’s tenure has already been stained by institutional arrogance, characterised by his continuous evasion and defiance of legislative invitations,” the students said.
They added, “A public servant who routinely disregards parliamentary oversight and is now entangled in a massive $279 million oil fund controversy has lost all moral and legal authority to lead the nation’s apex revenue body.”
The students’ body subsequently listed three major demands, including the immediate removal of Adedeji from office, a forensic investigation into the alleged transaction and a joint investigation by the National Assembly.
NANS called on President Tinubu to exercise his constitutional powers by relieving the NRS chairman of his duties pending the outcome of investigations.
“We call upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to exercise his executive powers and immediately sack Dr Zacch Adedeji from his position as Executive Chairman of the NRS,” the statement said.
The organisation alleged that retaining the NRS chairman in office amid the controversy could undermine public confidence in the country’s revenue administration and the Federal Government’s anti-corruption campaign.
NANS also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the alleged transfer and establish the circumstances surrounding the movement of the funds.
It demanded that the anti-graft agencies determine the identities of all persons involved and trace the destination and beneficiaries of the money.
“We demand that the EFCC and ICPC immediately conduct a thorough forensic investigation into Dr Adedeji and all those involved in the unauthorised $279 million Frontier Exploration Fund transfer,” NANS said.
The students further urged the National Assembly to constitute a joint committee to investigate the Frontier Exploration Fund account and make the proceedings transparent to Nigerians.
NANS called for the probe to be publicly broadcast, saying Nigerians should be allowed to follow the investigation into the alleged movement of the funds.
“We urge the National Assembly to initiate an open, live-broadcasted joint committee probe into the Frontier Exploration Fund account to trace every dime of the transferred $279 million and identify its final beneficiaries,” the organisation said.
The students’ body said it had given the Federal Government 72 hours from the date of the statement to take decisive action.
NANS warned that failure to meet its demands within the stipulated period would lead to the mobilisation of its structures across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The organisation threatened to commence nationwide protests, including picketing the headquarters of the Nigeria Revenue Service in Abuja and disrupting activities at regional tax offices.
NANS said the planned action was aimed at drawing attention to what it described as the alleged diversion of resources that should serve the interests of Nigerians, particularly young people.
“If this ultimatum expires without a decisive executive action, NANS will have no option but to activate its structures across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” it warned.
“We will hit the streets in a mother-of-all-protests, picketing the NRS headquarters in Abuja and shutting down regional tax offices nationwide.”
The students maintained that their position was driven by concerns over accountability, transparency and the protection of public resources.
“The wealth of Nigeria belongs to Nigerians, and the future of Nigerian students will not be bartered for administrative impunity,” NANS declared.
The organisation concluded by calling on the Federal Government, the National Assembly and anti-corruption agencies to act on the allegations, while urging Nigerians to demand greater transparency in the management of public funds.
