.vows showdown over students’ welfare

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The newly inaugurated President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, on Tuesday declared a state of emergency on the worsening condition of students’ hostels across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, describing the facilities as unfit for human habitation and a major threat to learning.

Speaking at his inauguration in Abuja, Afeez painted a grim picture of accommodation in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, accusing authorities of neglecting hostel infrastructure while millions of students are forced to live in unsafe, overcrowded and unhealthy environments.

He warned that the continued deterioration of hostel facilities could no longer be tolerated, insisting that students’ welfare, safety and dignity would become the defining focus of his administration.

“The state of students’ hostels across our tertiary institutions is pathetically disheartening. Many hostels are in a deplorable and dilapidated condition, and they continue to deteriorate with little or no attention from the relevant authorities,” he said.

Lamenting poor sanitation, inadequate facilities and exposure to environmental hazards, the NANS president declared: “I hereby declare a state of emergency on students’ hostels across tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The welfare, safety and dignity of Nigerian students can no longer be compromised.”

Beyond accommodation, Afeez promised to transform NANS into a more proactive pressure group capable of compelling government institutions to respond to students’ concerns.

He said the era of symbolic activism was over, stressing that the association would focus on advocacy, accountability and measurable outcomes.

“NANS must return to being the true voice of every Nigerian student,not just in words but in action. You deserve an association that is fearless in advocating for you, pragmatic and transparent in its actions, and consistent in delivering results,” he stated.

Highlighting achievements recorded within his first 50 days in office, Afeez said the association had intervened in the rescue efforts involving abducted students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State and facilitated the reinstatement of suspended students at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology ,LAUTECH, and the Federal University Oye-Ekiti ,FUOYE.

He also disclosed that NANS had constituted monitoring committees to track interventions by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund ,TETFund, Niger Delta Development Commission ,NDDC, North East Development Commission ,NEDC,and the Industrial Training Fund ,ITF, with the aim of ensuring that students fully benefit from government programmes.

On the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Afeez said the association would closely monitor implementation of the student loan scheme and confront challenges affecting beneficiaries.

He announced that payment of students’ upkeep allowances would begin within the week and revealed that NANS had published a list of institutions allegedly withholding refunds due to students despite receiving NELFUND disbursements.

The student leader also unveiled plans to mobilise students ahead of the next general elections, saying NANS would spearhead a nationwide campaign for Permanent Voter Card (PVC) registration to increase youth participation in governance.

“As Nigerian students, and with NANS as our umbrella body, we constitute a large percentage of the nation’s population. We must be actively involved in determining who governs us,” he said.

He further pledged to pursue stronger partnerships aimed at expanding access to scholarships, employment opportunities, telecommunications support and quality education while preparing Nigerian students to compete in a technology-driven global economy.

Representing the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, the Director of Polytechnic and Allied Institutions, Mrs Amy Igwe, urged the new NANS leadership to promote peace, unity and responsible engagement in advancing students’ interests.

She said the Federal Ministry of Education regarded NANS as a strategic partner in the development of the country’s education sector and advised the new executives to embrace dialogue in resolving challenges.

“The Ministry of Education recognises NANS as a critical stakeholder and partner in the development of our education sector. I charge you to lead with vision, unity, responsibility and patriotism,” the minister said.

In a keynote address, the Vice-Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, challenged the new leadership to champion accountability, innovation, security and students’ welfare.

He urged NANS to monitor the implementation of government intervention programmes to ensure no student was denied access to available support and called on the association to launch a national innovation initiative within its first 100 days in office.

Goodwill messages were also delivered by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr; and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students’ Engagement, Sunday Asefon.

They congratulated Afeez on his emergence and pledged continued collaboration with NANS in advancing students’ welfare, empowerment and youth development across the country.