The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has elected Akinteye Babatunde of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology as its new national president following the success of the association’s 2026 national convention held at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.
Akinteye, a former NANS Senate President, won a hotly contested race against five presidential contenders. He succeeds Olushola Oladoja, who has ended his service as NANS President.
Participants described the convention as one of the most calm in the association’s history, despite being held under tight security with the presence of police officers and Department of State Services operatives.
Speaking shortly after his emergence on Monday, the newly elected NANS president thanked delegates and promised to build on the accomplishments of the previous administration while encouraging unity among Nigerian students.
“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 commended the peaceful atmosphere during the convention, stating that there were no crises, violence, or disputes throughout the process.
“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 indicates that NANS is united, and we will continue to work together to keep the association as one,” he added.
Akinteye further assured Nigerian students that his administration would continue the good works 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 stated.
In his statement, outgoing President Olushola Oladoja described the successful conduct of the election as one of the happiest moments of his tenure.
“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,” Oladoja said.
He voiced faith in the future president’s capacity to surpass his achievements while in office.
“I wish him well, and I pray God grants him wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and strength to lead NANS successfully,” he said.
Earlier, Omotayo Samuel, Chairman of the Independent Convention Planning Committee, revealed during the accreditation exercise on Sunday night at the Kapital Club in Asokoro that the convention had over 300 delegates.
According to him, attendees included presidents of Student Union Governments, Senate presidents, and other student leaders from various higher schools across the country.
Oladele told stakeholders that the committee has made all necessary arrangements to ensure a free, fair, and credible voting process.
Akinteye Babatunde Afeez of OAUSTECH, Aminu Haruna Maipampo of the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti, Awoyinpa Opeoluwa Elijah of the Federal University of Technology Akure, Olumide Odumosu Josiah of Olabisi Onabanjo University, and Opaleye Samuel Oladutun of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta competed in the presidential race.
