By Femi Oyelola
The National Association of Nigerian Students has launched a nationwide mobilisation campaign aimed at getting at least 10 million students to participate in the 2027 general elections.
The association constituted a National Election Mobilisation Committee on Sunday to coordinate voter sensitisation, mobilisation and monitoring of students across campuses and the six geopolitical zones.
NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, disclosed this in a statement, saying students could no longer remain indifferent to the democratic process because government policies directly affected them.
He said the association, which described itself as the apex student body, would use its structures across the country to encourage informed and responsible participation in the elections.
According to Akinteye, Nigerian students constitute a significant voting bloc and have a major role to play in determining the country’s political direction.
“As a body of intellectuals and future leaders, we believe informed and active participation in elections is one of the most important ways citizens can contribute to democracy,” he said.
The NANS president said the committee would immediately begin sensitising and mobilising students while monitoring election-related activities involving students.
The committee is headed by Akinteye as Director-General, with the NANS Senate President as Deputy Director and Olusola Oladoja as National Coordinator.
Gambo Abubakar was named National Deputy Coordinator, while Charles Obina Ebube will serve as National Publicity Secretary.
The association also appointed coordinators across the six geopolitical zones and all 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory.
Akinteye said the committee would work with student unions, NANS structures and other stakeholders to coordinate election-related activities across tertiary institutions.
He also warned that political support groups and election-related organisations seeking to organise activities involving students would be expected to liaise with the committee for proper coordination, notification and monitoring.
The move comes amid increasing political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, with young Nigerians expected to constitute a significant segment of the electorate.
However, NANS did not disclose how it arrived at its claim of 40.1 million members, nor did it provide details on how the target of 10 million participating students would be measured.
Akinteye urged members of the committee to take their responsibilities seriously.
“I have full confidence in each of you to deliver effectively in these responsibilities,” he said.
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