The National Association of Nigerian Students has elected Akinteye Babatunde of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology as its new national president following the conclusion of the association’s 2026 national convention in Abuja. Akinteye, a former NANS Senate President, won after a keenly contested race involving five candidates and succeeds Olushola Oladoja, who completed his tenure.
The convention, held under tight security with police and Department of State Services operatives present, was described by participants as one of the most peaceful in the association’s history. Akinteye expressed gratitude to delegates for their support and pledged to build on the achievements of the outgoing administration while promoting unity among Nigerian students.
He commended the atmosphere during the convention, noting that there were no disputes or violence and that his opponents had already congratulated him. He said the outcome demonstrated unity within NANS and promised to reposition the association for greater impact across campuses nationwide.
“Our activities will soon be felt across campuses and the country will know that NANS is active and committed to students’ welfare,” Akinteye said. His remarks were echoed by outgoing president Oladoja, who described the successful conduct of the election as one of the happiest moments of his tenure and expressed confidence in Akinteye’s capacity to lead.
Oladoja said he believed the new president would surpass his achievements and prayed for wisdom and strength for him in office. The convention planning committee reported that more than 300 delegates, including student union leaders from tertiary institutions across the country, participated in the exercise.
The presidential race featured candidates from several universities, including Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Federal University of Technology Akure, Olabisi Onabanjo University, and Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta. Stakeholders praised the process as free, fair, and credible, reinforcing NANS’s commitment to democratic leadership among Nigerian students.
