Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has urged the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) to engage in constructive criticism to foster the development of the country’s education sector. Tinubu, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon, made this appeal during the inauguration of the 2026 NANS Executive Council in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the president emphasized that the support of NANS is crucial for the advancement of the education sector, highlighting the need for collaboration to promote growth. Tinubu praised the peaceful transition within NANS leadership, noting it as a sign of unity within the association. He reiterated his commitment to prioritizing education through reforms and addressing the challenge of out-of-school children, and expressed gratitude to Nigerian students for maintaining peace on campuses and supporting government initiatives.
In his remarks, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa, represented by Mrs. Amy Igwe, Director of Polytechnic and Allied Institutions at the Federal Ministry of Education, urged NANS to focus on promoting skills acquisition and entrepreneurship. He emphasized the federal government’s shift towards skills development over traditional paper qualifications and called for a partnership with the government to sensitize students about the new Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, commended NANS stakeholders for their trust in the current administration’s efforts to prevent strikes in the education system. He called for continuous support for education ministries and peaceful dialogue with the federal government.
Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, Vice-Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, encouraged NANS to collaborate with the federal government to address challenges like insecurity and infrastructural decay. He urged the association to rebuild trust among students and uphold their rights, pledging the support of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.
The newly inaugurated NANS President, Babatunde Akinteye, vowed to prioritize students’ welfare and advocacy, promising to unite Nigerian students and build on the achievements of previous leadership. Akinteye assured students of his commitment to the ‘Epoch Agenda’, emphasizing the potential of Nigerian students for national and global benefit. He also expressed gratitude to supporters and mentors, including the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, for their guidance in his leadership journey.