Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The National Association of Nigerian Students has declared a national emergency over the deteriorating condition of students' hostels across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, warning that the continued neglect of accommodation facilities poses a serious threat to students' welfare, safety and dignity. The declaration was made on Tuesday in Abuja by the newly inaugurated President of NANS, Babatunde Akinteye Afeez, popularly known as Babtee, during the inauguration of the 2026 National Executive Council, where he painted a grim picture of accommodation in tertiary institutions and accused authorities of neglecting hostel infrastructure while millions of students are forced to live in unsafe, overcrowded and unhealthy environments.
Describing the state of students' accommodation as "pathetically disheartening," Akinteye said many hostels across the country's tertiary institutions had become uninhabitable due to years of neglect. "The state of students' hostels across our tertiary institutions is pathetically disheartening. Many hostels are in deplorable and dilapidated conditions, and they continue to deteriorate with little or no attention from the relevant authorities," he declared. Lamenting poor sanitation, inadequate facilities and exposure to environmental hazards, the NANS president declared: "I hereby declare a state of emergency on students' hostels across tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The welfare, safety and dignity of Nigerian students can no longer be compromised". He further warned that many students are forced to live in environments characterised by poor sanitation, inadequate facilities and other hazards, stressing that "these conditions are not befitting of institutions of higher learning".
Akinteye, who described himself as the "chief servant" of Nigerian students, vowed not to betray the confidence reposed in him by the electorate, promising to build a transparent and result-oriented association. He pledged that his administration would make students' welfare one of its top priorities, promising to engage relevant authorities to address the accommodation crisis while pursuing what he described as the "Epoch Agenda" for Nigerian students. "I promise never to betray the trust you have reposed in me through the ballot. Going forward, I refuse to be counted among those who enjoy the harvest yet forget those who planted the seeds," he declared. "My confidence in the untapped potential of Nigerian students is unyielding, and I have no doubt that we will harness this potential for the greater good of our nation and the world at large," he added. In his speech, the NANS President pledged to reposition the association as a fearless advocate for students' welfare, and also strengthen oversight of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). He said his administration would be driven by service, accountability and constructive engagement to improve the lives of more than 40 million Nigerian students at home and in the diaspora.
Beyond accommodation, Akinteye promised to transform NANS into a more proactive pressure group capable of compelling government institutions to respond to students' concerns. He said the era of symbolic activism was over, stressing that the association would focus on advocacy, accountability and measurable outcomes. "NANS must return to being the true voice of every Nigerian student, not just in words but in action. You deserve an association that is fearless in advocating for you, pragmatic and transparent in its actions, and consistent in delivering results," he stated. Reviewing activities undertaken since emerging president about 50 days ago, Akinteye said NANS successfully intervened in the rescue efforts for abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, secured the reinstatement of suspended students at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, and facilitated the reinstatement of more than 14 students across various campuses.
He added that the association had constituted monitoring committees on TETFund, NDDC, NEDC and ITF interventions, launched an online verification portal for unpaid Industrial Training Fund beneficiaries, raised concerns over discrepancies in NELFUND disbursements, and engaged the Nigerian Communications Commission to improve affordable telecommunications services for students. On the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Akinteye said the association would closely monitor implementation of the student loan scheme and confront challenges affecting beneficiaries. He announced that payment of students' upkeep allowances would begin within the week and revealed that NANS had published a list of institutions allegedly withholding refunds due to students despite receiving NELFUND disbursements. According to him, the association has already published the names of institutions that failed to refund students after receiving NELFUND payments and would continue to demand accountability from school authorities.
The student leader also unveiled plans to mobilise students ahead of the next general elections, saying NANS would spearhead a nationwide campaign for Permanent Voter Card registration to increase youth participation in governance. "As Nigerian students, and with NANS as our umbrella body, we constitute a large percentage of the nation's population. We must be actively involved in determining who governs us," he declared. Akinteye also disclosed that NANS had begun mobilising students nationwide to obtain their PVCs ahead of 2027 elections, insisting that students must play an active role in determining Nigeria's political future. The student body also announced the relocation of its national headquarters to Anambra State as part of its campaign for the release of student leaders it said were being unlawfully detained. NANS condemned what it described as the illegal detention of its members and called on Magistrate Nnamdi Aduma, who also serves as Financial Secretary of the Magistrates' Association of Nigeria, to ensure justice is served and due process is followed.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon, urged the new NANS leadership to embrace constructive engagement with the government in advancing reforms in the education sector. According to him, meaningful development in education requires collaboration between the government and student leaders. "Without the support of NANS, development in the education sector will be hampered. We need collaboration to promote growth and development in education," he said. Tinubu commended the peaceful transition in the association's leadership, describing it as a reflection of unity among Nigerian students. He said his administration had prioritised education through reforms aimed at improving the sector and tackling the challenge of out-of-school children. The President also applauded the immediate past NANS leadership for exposing institutions allegedly diverting funds from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund meant for students, describing the action as an example of responsible student leadership.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, represented by the Director of Polytechnic and Allied Institutions at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Amy Igwe, urged the association to continue promoting unity, patriotism and skills acquisition among students. He said the Federal Government was shifting greater attention to technical skills and entrepreneurship to improve graduate employability and called on NANS to partner with the government in sensitising students on the Nigerian Education Loan Fund. Also speaking, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, urged student leaders to sustain dialogue with the government, saying industrial harmony had helped ensure stability in tertiary institutions. In his keynote address, the Vice-Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Prof Temi Ologunorisa, congratulated Akinteye and urged the new NANS leadership to embrace constructive engagement rather than confrontation, stressing that student leaders should engage ministers, vice-chancellors, chief executives and policymakers with practical solutions to challenges confronting higher education. He called on NANS to rebuild trust among students, defend their rights and work with stakeholders to address challenges confronting tertiary education, including insecurity and infrastructure decay.
The declaration of a state of emergency on students' hostels represents a significant escalation in the student body's advocacy efforts, as Akinteye warned that the continued deterioration of hostel facilities could no longer be tolerated, insisting that students' welfare, safety and dignity would become the defining focus of his administration. He further pledged to pursue stronger partnerships aimed at expanding access to scholarships, employment opportunities, telecommunications support and quality education while preparing Nigerian students to compete in a technology-driven global economy. "We are rebuilding NANS into a structure that works for students, a voice that matters in policy formulation and a force that cannot be ignored," he declared.
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