By Ademola Ade
The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has launched a nationwide mobilisation drive aimed at getting at least 10 million Nigerian students to participate in the 2027 general elections.
The association has consequently constituted a National Election Mobilisation Committee to coordinate voter sensitisation, mobilisation and monitoring of students’ participation and election-related activities across the six geopolitical zones.
NANS National President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, disclosed this in a statement, describing students as a significant constituency in the country’s democratic process.
The association claimed a membership base of more than 40.1 million Nigerian students, arguing that such a large population could not afford to remain indifferent to elections and government policies affecting their lives.
NANS said: “As the apex student representative body with over 40.1 million Nigerian students as members, we constitute a significant voting bloc in the country.”
It added: “It is noteworthy that we are major stakeholders in nation-building, as students constitute a significant segment of the country’s population and are directly affected by government policies and decisions. Hence, we cannot afford to toe the path of apathy or remain indifferent to the democratic process.”
The association said its mobilisation campaign was aimed at promoting informed and responsible participation rather than partisan political support.
“As a body of intellectuals and future leaders, we strongly believe that one of the most important ways citizens can contribute to the democratic process is through informed and active participation in elections.
“Therefore, our firm resolve is to encourage Nigerian students to participate actively and responsibly in the forthcoming 2027 General Elections,” it said.
The newly constituted committee will be headed by the NANS President as Director-General, while the NANS Senate President will serve as Deputy Director.
Olusola Oladoja was appointed National Coordinator, Gambo Abubakar as National Deputy Coordinator, while Charles Obina Ebube will serve as National Public Relations Officer.
Agbabiaka Ahmed was named Chairman of the Advisory Committee for the South, while Ibrahim G. Ibrahim Babalolo will chair the Northern Advisory Committee.
The mobilisation structure has also been decentralised across the six geopolitical zones, with representatives appointed across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The North-West committee covers Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Jigawa, while the North-East structure comprises Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Gombe, Adamawa and Bauchi.
The North-Central structure covers Kwara, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, FCT, Kogi and Niger states.
In the South-West, the committee covers Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Ekiti and Ondo, while the South-South structure comprises Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.
The South-East committee covers Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states.
NANS directed the committees to commence immediate sensitisation, mobilisation and monitoring across campuses and institutions, in coordination with existing NANS structures, student unions and other stakeholders.
It said the specific target was to facilitate the participation of at least 10 million Nigerian students in the 2027 elections.
“Our target is to facilitate the participation of at least 10 million Nigerian students in the 2027 General Elections,” the association said.
NANS also sought to centralise election-related engagements involving students, directing political support groups and election-related organisations seeking to organise sensitisation, mobilisation or other political activities involving students to liaise with its National Election Mobilisation Committee.
It said such groups were expected to notify and coordinate with the committee before undertaking activities involving Nigerian students.
The association, however, did not state that the committee would endorse any political party or candidate.
Afeez charged members of the committee to remain committed and efficient in carrying out their responsibilities.
“I have full confidence in each of you to deliver effectively in these responsibilities. I warmly congratulate you all, and as we move forward, I charge you to remain efficient, committed and dedicated to the responsibilities entrusted to you,” he said.
The 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for February 20, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are fixed for March 6, 2027, according to the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
