The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Thursday staged a peaceful protest at the Indian High Commission in Abuja over what it described as “alarming reports” of harassment, discrimination and inhumane treatment of Nigerian students studying in India.

The body also issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government for urgent diplomatic engagement, warning that it would intensify lawful advocacy actions nationwide if the issues are not addressed.

Addressing journalists during the demonstration, NANS Vice President (Special Duties), Comrade Abubakar Mallawa, said the protest was not an act of hostility against India but a call for justice, transparency and equal treatment for Nigerians abroad.

He said NANS has received multiple distress reports from Nigerian students studying in Indian cities, particularly Mumbai, alleging systematic profiling, visa challenges and discriminatory practices.

He said the affected students and other Nigerians engaged in legitimate businesses have faced difficulties in renewing visas, mass arrests linked to immigration status, denial of rental accommodation based solely on nationality, closure of Nigerian-owned shops, confiscation of goods and, in some cases, forceful entry into residences and detention under degrading conditions.

The association also raised concerns about the visa application process, alleging that Nigerian applicants are often made to pay interview and processing fees but are denied visas without clear explanations. It further alleged that applicants are sometimes required to write letters before their applications are closed, without transparent reasons being provided.

The student body expressed concern over what it described as disparities in visa fees, claiming that at a point, visa charges for Nigerians were increased significantly, while applicants from other African countries continued to pay lower rates.

On accommodation, NANS alleged that some hotels and landlords in India have refused to rent rooms or apartments to Nigerians despite valid documentation, citing instructions not to accommodate them.

Invoking the principle of reciprocity, the group noted that Nigeria and India share longstanding diplomatic and economic relations and insisted that Nigerians in India deserve the same level of fairness and respect accorded to Indian nationals in Nigeria.

Among its demands, NANS called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the alleged abuses, consular access to detained Nigerians, humane immigration enforcement processes and a fair, non-discriminatory visa renewal mechanism.

The association also demanded an end to alleged discriminatory housing, hotel accommodation, employment and business restrictions targeting Nigerians.

The group urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take immediate diplomatic steps to safeguard Nigerian students and other citizens abroad. (Daily Trust)