By Adesina Wahab

Two aspirants for the presidency of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, have been disqualified from the forthcoming 2026 national convention following the release of screening and verification results by the Independent Convention Planning Committee.

The committee, in an official statement issued at the national headquarters in Abuja, yesterday, said the exercise was conducted in line with Article 15 of the NANS Constitution after a nationwide verification of documents submitted by all aspirants.

Among those affected are Awoyinfa Opeoluwa Elijah of the Federal University of Technology Akure and Olumide Odumosu Josiah of Olabisi Onabanjo University, both of whom were seeking to contest for the position of NANS President.

According to the committee, Awoyinfa was disqualified for failing to meet the requirements of Article 15(2)(vii) of the constitution, while Odumosu was found ineligible for not completing the mandatory minimum of two academic semesters with verifiable CGPA, having presented only one semester result.

The committee explained that the screening process focused on key constitutional requirements including full time studentship status, eligibility beyond the first year of admission, and completion of at least two academic semesters for postgraduate candidates.

While some aspirants were cleared, others were either disqualified or placed on pending status subject to further verification.

Among those cleared for the presidential race are Akinteye Babatunde Afeez of OAUSTECH, Okitipupa and Aminu Haruna Maipampo of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti.

In the Senate President category, Alfred Jacinta Chinedu of Imo State University and Chiyelo Okolie Chinyelu of Abia State Polytechnic were declared qualified, while Anieke Kenechukwu of ESUT was disqualified for failing to meet eligibility criteria.

The committee also flagged several aspirants across different positions for discrepancies in academic records, failure to meet constitutional provisions, and incomplete documentation.

Some candidates, including Charles Obinna Ijeomah of UNIZIK and Onyia Moses Ibeabuchi of Ebonyi State University, were placed on pending status.

For the position of Vice President National, a number of aspirants were disqualified on grounds ranging from failure to meet constitutional requirements to discrepancies in submitted documents.

However, Nanchang Peter Timloh of Plateau State Polytechnic was declared qualified.

In the Vice President Special Duties category, multiple aspirants including Ernest Nkereuwem Etim, Egba Ahamefula Frank, Levi Sam Okuru, and Ojumoola Timileyin were cleared to contest.

Similarly, in the Secretary General category, candidates such as Andoya Ademola Solomon of the University of Lagos and Sanusi Olayode Suleiman were declared qualified.

The committee reiterated that the screening exercise was thorough and guided strictly by constitutional provisions, adding that all decisions were based on verifiable submissions and established criteria.

It further advised aspirants who are dissatisfied with the outcomes of the screening to approach the Screening Appeals Committee for redress in line with established procedures, assuring that due process would be upheld.

The 2026 NANS convention is expected to bring together student leaders from across the country to elect new national executives.