EX-NANS LEADER QUESTIONS SEYI TINUBU’S INFLUENCE ON STUDENTS BODY

A respected former leader of all Nigerian students, Henry Okunomo, is deeply concerned about the growing control that politicians are having over the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). He fears that NANS, which is meant to represent students, is "almost losing its true purpose" because outsiders are meddling in its affairs, and it's straying away from the core reasons it was created.

Okunomo also expressed worry about the alleged significant involvement of the President's son in the activities of NANS.

In a recent interview on television, Okunomo strongly criticized the increasing power of political figures within NANS. He believes that many students now seek leadership positions not because they want to serve the student body, but because they want to align themselves with powerful politicians.

He went as far as to say that the way things are going, if a student doesn't have the backing of the government, it might be nearly impossible for them to achieve any significant position within the student organization.

Okunomo also highlighted his concern about Seyi Tinubu, the President's son, and his supposed influence on NANS. He questioned what role someone who is neither a student nor a former leader in NANS should be playing and what influence he should have. Okunomo urged the general public to ask Seyi Tinubu directly what his interest in NANS truly is.

He questioned why people who are not students should be able to influence who becomes a student leader. According to Okunomo, only individuals who are currently studying at Nigerian universities or have previously held leadership roles in NANS should be considered important stakeholders whose opinions matter. He emphasized that the President's son doesn't qualify under these criteria because he did not even attend university in Nigeria.

Furthermore, Okunomo criticized what he sees as an abuse of power and the alleged intimidation of certain individuals, all done under the cover of political influence. He stated that it's unacceptable for anyone to hide behind the power they have to threaten or scare other citizens, especially when the President of the country is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of everyone.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is a key voice for university students. Significant political involvement in its leadership and operations can shift its focus away from student needs. Questions about non-students influencing the organization also raise concerns about its autonomy and true representation of students. Finally, allegations of power abuse can negatively impact the ability of all citizens, including students, to express their views freely.

Posted on: Thu May 01 2025 Back to posts