The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), North-Central Zone, has called on the Federal Government and petroleum regulators to address the impact of rising petrol prices on transportation costs, warning that the trend is making education increasingly expensive for Nigerian students.

The association also urged Aliko Dangote and the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery to establish a dedicated student-support fund to cushion the effects of petrol price fluctuations on transportation and other education-related expenses.

The demands were contained in a statement issued by the NANS North-Central Zone Coordinator, Abiola Babatunde, who said changes in petrol prices had far-reaching consequences for students, parents and the education sector.

According to the association, rising transportation costs are putting additional pressure on students who travel daily to attend lectures, examinations, practical classes, clinical postings and industrial training.

NANS said the increasing cost of commuting was forcing students to spend more on transportation, leaving them with less money for food, accommodation, textbooks, internet data and other essential academic materials.

The student body also expressed concern over the financial difficulties facing parents and guardians, who are struggling to meet educational expenses amid rising living costs.

Describing affordable transportation as an essential part of access to education, the association said the government and relevant stakeholders must recognise the impact of petrol prices on students’ welfare.

NANS acknowledged the importance of domestic refining to Nigeria’s energy security but called on Dangote Refinery to improve transparency in its petrol pricing decisions.

NANS Proposes Dangote Education Petroleum Trust FundBeyond its call for pricing transparency, NANS proposed the establishment of a Dangote Education Petroleum Trust Fund, known as DEPT-FUND, to provide long-term support for students affected by rising transportation costs.

The association said the proposed initiative should go beyond occasional donations and short-term corporate social responsibility programmes, operating instead as a structured educational support scheme.