The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has concluded its 2026 national convention in Abuja with the emergence of Akinteye Babatunde as the new national president of the apex student body.
The keenly contested election, held at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja, once again spotlighted the intricate process through which Nigerian students elect leaders to pilot the affairs of the country’s foremost student association.
Unlike general public elections, the NANS presidential poll operates through a delegate system involving accredited student leaders from universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria.
The process began weeks before the convention with the sale of nomination forms and screening of aspirants by the NANS Independent Convention Planning Committee (ICPC). Aspirants seeking various national offices were required to present documents proving active studentship, institutional affiliation, and eligibility under the NANS constitution.
Ahead of the convention, campaigns intensified across campuses and geopolitical zones as contestants lobbied delegates and unveiled manifestos centred on student welfare, education funding, union independence, and representation.
The election also witnessed strategic political alignments among student stakeholders nationwide. Akinteye, popularly known among supporters as “Babtee,” gained significant momentum after securing endorsements from several South-West student leaders and Joint Campus Committee chairmen prior to the convention.
On election day, accredited delegates voted through secret ballot under the supervision of convention officials and security operatives. After the collation of results, Akinteye emerged victorious over other contestants to clinch the highly coveted office.
Profile of the New NANS President
Akinteye Babatunde is a student of the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, formerly known as OSUSTECH, in Ondo State.
Before emerging as NANS president, he had built a strong reputation within the Nigerian student movement through several leadership positions at campus and national levels.
He previously served as Senate President within the NANS structure and also held the office of Vice President for External Affairs, roles through which he became actively involved in student advocacy, negotiations, and policy engagements affecting tertiary education in Nigeria.
Known for his grassroots mobilization style and strong connections within student union circles, Akinteye campaigned on promises of strengthening students’ representation, defending union independence, addressing tuition hike concerns, and improving engagement between students and government authorities.
His emergence is already generating reactions across campuses, with many student leaders expressing expectations that the new administration will intensify advocacy on issues affecting Nigerian students, including insecurity, rising education costs, and infrastructure deficits in tertiary institutions.
The NANS presidency remains one of the most influential leadership positions among Nigerian youths due to the association’s historical role in national activism, education advocacy, and youth mobilization.