New NANS President Emerges after 2026 Convention

A student of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State, Comrade Akinteye Afeez, yesterday emerged as the President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), following the conclusion of the association’s 2026 national convention in Abuja.

Akinteye, a former Senate President of NANS, polled 349 votes to defeat his closest rival, Aminu Maipanpo of Federal University Oye-Ekiti, who scored 12 votes, while Olumide Odumosu Josiah of Olabisi Onabanjo University garnered 10 votes. He succeeds NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, whose tenure came to an end after the convention.

The election, which featured five presidential candidates, was conducted under heavy security presence, with personnel of Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services deployed to maintain law and order. Participants described the convention as one of the most peaceful in the history of the student body, with no record of violence or disruption throughout the process.

Speaking after his emergence, the newly-elected NANS president thanked the delegates for entrusting him with the leadership of the association.

“The leadership of NANS has conducted our election successfully and the new leadership has emerged. I thank all the delegates for electing me, a student of OAUSTECH, as the new president of NANS,” Akinteye said.

He hailed the peaceful conduct of the convention, noting that all contestants had accepted the outcome of the election.

“In the history of NANS, this is one of the best conventions we have witnessed. There was no crisis, no gunshot, no fight. All the contestants against me have congratulated me already. This shows NANS is united. We will continue to work together to keep the association as one,” he said.

Akinteye assured Nigerian students that his administration would build on the achievements of the outgoing leadership and reposition the association for greater impact across campuses nationwide.

“Our activities will soon be felt across campuses and the country will know that NANS is active and committed to students’ welfare,” he said.

The outgoing president, Oladoja, described the successful conduct of the election as one of the high points of his administration.

“I thank God Almighty for giving me the opportunity to conduct a free and fair election in the history of NANS. I am happy that the person who emerged is someone I strongly believe in and trust in terms of capacity,” he said.

Oladoja expressed confidence in the ability of the new president to surpass his achievements.

“I wish him well and pray God grants him wisdom, knowledge, understanding and strength to lead NANS successfully,” he said.

Chairman of the Independent Convention Planning Committee, Omotayo Samuel, said during the accreditation held on Sunday night at Kapital Club, Asokoro that over 300 delegates participated in the convention.

He said the delegates included Student Union Government presidents, Senate presidents and other student leaders from tertiary institutions across the country.

He assured stakeholders that the committee had put in place measures to guarantee a free, fair and credible electoral process.

Other contestants in the presidential race included Awoyinpa Opeoluwa Elijah of Federal University of Technology, Akure and Opaleye Samuel Oladutun of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.