YOUTH-LED SOCIAL MOVEMENTS IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES, FOCUSING ON THE "NO SCHOOL FEES, NO EXAM" PROTEST

This study examined the motivations, organizational strategies, challenges, and policy impacts associated with the "No School Fees, No Exam" protests among university students in Nigeria. The study was driven by the objective of understanding the underlying financial and institutional factors that incite student protests, and to assess their implications for university governance and academic experiences. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, involving 130 student respondents and 20 university officials across selected institutions. Data were collected using structured questionnaires rated on a 4-point Likert scale and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to determine relationships among variables.The results revealed that financial hardship and the high cost of tuition fees were significant motivators of student protest, with students expressing dissatisfaction over lack of flexible payment options and inadequate financial support from university authorities. Social media was found to be a major tool for protest organization, while student union leaders played key roles in mobilization efforts. Students also reported facing risks such as victimization, security threats, and strained relationships with university management. Chi-square analyses showed statistically significant relationships between students' financial challenges and protest motivations (p = .001), the risks faced by protesting students (p = .030), and the impact of protests on university policies (p = .047).The study concluded that student protests are largely a reaction to socio-economic pressures and institutional rigidity in fee policy implementation. Protests have, in some cases, led to meaningful engagement but often result in strained administrative relationships. Therefore, the study recommends that universities introduce more flexible payment plans, improve student engagement in decision-making processes, strengthen conflict resolution mechanisms, and ensure that authorities adopt a rights-respecting approach in managing student protests. These steps will foster a more inclusive, transparent, and supportive academic environment.