Akinteye Babatunde Elected NANS President, Pledges to Reshape Student Advocacy and Education Policy!

Akinteye Babatunde Elected NANS President, Pledges to Reshape Student Advocacy and Education Policy!

Reported by Fasesan Marian opeyemi | Editor-in-Chief at Sele Media Africa.

ABUJA, Nigeria — The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has elected Akinteye Babatunde, a student of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), as its new national president during a leadership election held on Monday. Babatunde’s victory places him at the helm of Nigeria’s most influential student movement at a time when the tertiary education sector faces unprecedented challenges, including rising tuition fees, declining infrastructure, and persistent academic staff strikes.

Babatunde, who secured the mandate of delegates from across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, immediately outlined a broad agenda centered on unifying the student body and holding the federal and state governments accountable for educational reforms. His emergence signals a potential shift in the political dynamics between student leadership and government authorities, as NANS prepares to engage with the administration of President Bola Tinubu on critical policy decisions affecting millions of young Nigerians.

A Mandate for Change Amid Sectoral Crisis

The election, conducted under the supervision of NANS’ Electoral Committee, saw Babatunde defeat several contenders to claim the presidency of the association, which represents over 40 million students in tertiary institutions nationwide. In his acceptance speech, Babatunde called for a renewed commitment to student welfare, describing his victory as a call to service rather than a personal triumph.

“This mandate is not for me alone; it is for every Nigerian student who has faced the burden of tuition hikes, the frustration of stalled academic calendars, and the uncertainty of our educational future,” Babatunde said. “We will not rest until the government prioritises education funding, stabilises the academic calendar, and ensures that no student is forced out of school due to poverty.”

NANS, historically a formidable force in Nigeria’s civil society landscape, has played a pivotal role in shaping education policy, from the introduction of the Students’ Loan Act to protests against deregulation of tuition fees. Babatunde’s leadership will be tested immediately as he navigates a complex political terrain marked by competing interests among university administrators, labour unions, and federal regulators.

Political Analysis: Student Power and the 2027 Electoral Calculus

Babatunde’s election carries significant political implications beyond the campus gates. With Nigeria’s 2027 general elections on the horizon, student leaders have historically served as critical mobilisers of youth voters, a demographic that constitutes more than 50 percent of the electorate. The new NANS president’s ability to forge alliances with political actors while maintaining independence from partisan control will determine the association’s effectiveness as a pressure group.

Analysts note that Babatunde’s platform, which emphasises accountability and transparency, positions NANS as a potential counterweight to government policies perceived as anti-student. The association has previously clashed with the Tinubu administration over the removal of fuel subsidies, which triggered a spike in transportation costs for students, and the delayed implementation of the Students’ Loan Fund.

“NANS is not just a student union; it is a political institution in its own right,” said Dr. Chidi Okonkwo, a political scientist at the University of Lagos. “Whoever leads NANS can shape the narrative around education policy and influence youth turnout in elections. Babatunde’s emergence suggests that students are demanding a more assertive leadership that can hold the government accountable without being co-opted.”

The new president has already signalled his intention to engage with the National Assembly on pending education bills, including the proposed review of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Act and the expansion of the Students’ Loan Scheme to cover more low-income students.

Educational Angle: A Crisis of Access and Quality

Babatunde’s leadership comes at a critical juncture for Nigeria’s educational system, which is grappling with a crisis of access, quality, and funding. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, with over 20 million children not receiving formal education. At the tertiary level, the situation is equally dire, with institutions struggling with inadequate infrastructure, insufficient faculty, and chronic underfunding.

The new NANS president has pledged to prioritise advocacy for increased budgetary allocation to education, which currently stands at less than 10 percent of the national budget, far below the 15–20 percent recommended by UNESCO. Babatunde also promised to push for the stabilisation of the academic calendar, which has been disrupted in recent years by prolonged strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other labour disputes.

“Education is the foundation of national development, and we cannot afford to treat it as an afterthought,” Babatunde said. “We will work with the government, university administrators, and civil society to ensure that every Nigerian student has access to quality education, regardless of their socio-economic background.”

Babatunde’s background as a student of OAUSTECH, a state university in Ondo State, is also significant. It reflects the growing influence of students from public universities, which bear the brunt of underfunding and overcrowding, in shaping national student advocacy.

Reactions from Stakeholders and Civil Society

The election has drawn reactions from various stakeholders, including education rights groups and former student leaders. Comrade Usman Dantata, a former NANS president, described Babatunde’s emergence as a victory for progressive student leadership.

“Babatunde represents a new generation of student leaders who understand the challenges facing young Nigerians today,” Dantata said. “His focus on unity and advocacy for educational reforms is exactly what NANS needs at this moment.”

The Education Rights Campaign (ERC), a civil society organisation advocating for free and accessible education, also welcomed Babatunde’s election, urging him to adopt a confrontational approach where necessary.

“We expect the new NANS leadership to be uncompromising in its demand for increased education funding and the protection of students’ rights,” said ERC coordinator, Hassan Taiwo. “The era of student leaders being used as pawns by politicians must end.”

Pan-African Significance: A Model for Student Activism

Babatunde’s election resonates beyond Nigeria’s borders, offering a model for student activism across Africa. In many African countries, student unions have historically been at the forefront of struggles for democratic governance, social justice, and educational reform. From the #FeesMustFall movement in South Africa to student-led protests in Kenya and Ghana, African students have consistently demonstrated their capacity to shape national conversations.

NANS, as one of the continent’s largest and most organised student bodies, remains a reference point for student movements across Africa. Babatunde’s leadership could inspire similar efforts in other countries where students are fighting for better conditions and greater political representation.

“The struggle of Nigerian students is not unique; it is part of a broader Pan-African struggle for quality education and youth empowerment,” said Dr. Amina Sall, a researcher on African youth movements at the University of Cape Town. “What happens in Nigeria often sets the tone for the rest of the continent. If Babatunde succeeds in advancing student rights, it will have a ripple effect across Africa.”

What Happens Next

Babatunde is expected to formally assume office in the coming weeks, following the handover of power by the outgoing leadership. His first major test will be the negotiation of a memorandum of understanding with the federal government on the implementation of the Students’ Loan Scheme and the resolution of ongoing disputes between university staff unions and the government.

The new NANS president has also announced plans to convene a national summit on education reform, bringing together student leaders, policymakers, and education experts to develop a roadmap for addressing the sector’s challenges. The summit is expected to take place within the first 100 days of his administration.

For now, Nigerian students are watching closely, hoping that Babatunde’s promises of unity, advocacy, and reform will translate into tangible improvements in their academic lives.

SOURCES

• National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Official Platform
• Punch Newspapers
• TheCable Nigeria
• Interview with Dr. Chidi Okonkwo, Political Scientist, University of Lagos
• Interview with Comrade Usman Dantata, Former NANS President
• Education Rights Campaign (ERC) Statement
• UNESCO Education Data for Nigeria