Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The National Association of Nigerian Students President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, has issued a powerful call for equal opportunities for Nigerian youths regardless of their backgrounds, locations or economic circumstances, challenging the systemic barriers that continue to limit the potential of millions of young Nigerians across the country. Afeez made the declaration while delivering a goodwill message at the 2026 International Youth Day programme held at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja, on Thursday, August 20, 2026. The event, organised by the Nigeria Police Force around the theme "Different Contexts, Common Aspirations," was attended by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, senior police officers, and other key stakeholders. In his address, the NANS president said the common aspiration of Nigerian youths, despite their diverse circumstances, was the opportunity to build meaningful and prosperous futures.
Afeez stressed that young Nigerians need access to quality education, gainful employment, opportunities to develop their talents, and an enabling environment where hard work can translate into success. In a direct and unflinching statement, he declared, "Our backgrounds, geography or financial circumstances should never determine how far a young Nigerian can go," emphasising the urgent need for a more equitable society where young people can explore and realise their potential. The NANS president commended the Inspector-General of Police for initiating the programme, describing it as an important demonstration of the Police Force's recognition of youths and students as critical stakeholders in Nigeria's present and future. According to him, the programme was particularly significant as the first of its kind, providing a dedicated platform for the Police to engage young Nigerians on their aspirations, challenges and contributions to nation-building.
Afeez expressed optimism that initiatives of such nature would deepen trust, understanding and collaboration between the Police and the younger generation. He reaffirmed his commitment, as NANS president, to strengthening partnerships that promote the welfare, security, education and development of Nigerian students and youths. "Different contexts, indeed, but common aspirations. Our responsibility is to ensure that every young Nigerian has a fair opportunity to succeed," he said. The NANS president's position comes as Nigeria joins the global community to mark International Youth Day, with the theme drawing attention to the connection between young people's different circumstances and their shared aspirations. The United Nations General Assembly declared August 12 as International Youth Day in 1999 to raise awareness of issues affecting young people and recognise youths as important partners in development.
In an exclusive interview with Persecondnews in Abuja on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, to mark the 2026 International Youth Day, Afeez noted that young Nigerians, regardless of their backgrounds, want quality education, gainful employment and opportunities to develop their talents. He said this year's theme, "Different Contexts, Common Aspirations," aptly captures the reality of Nigerian youths, whose circumstances may differ but whose fundamental aspirations remain largely the same. "From what I have seen and heard from Nigerian students and young people, the biggest common aspiration is the desire for equal opportunity to build a meaningful and prosperous future," he said. For Nigerian students, differences in location, economic background and access to education can significantly shape the opportunities available to them, making equitable access central to achieving those shared aspirations.
Afeez said government must pursue an equitable and just system where every young person can explore and showcase their potential, regardless of background, geography or access to education. He stressed that such equity must be reflected in government policies, warning that interventions should not be designed primarily around the needs of the elite while leaving other young Nigerians behind. "Government must formulate policies that do not solely favour the elite, but cater to the needs and aspirations of all citizens. Government must break barriers for our young people and create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed," he said. Afeez also pointed to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, as an intervention capable of reducing financial barriers to education and widening access for students from different economic backgrounds. "The Federal Government, through initiatives such as NELFUND, has taken a significant step towards expanding access to education, irrespective of students' economic backgrounds," he said. He, however, cautioned that sustaining and expanding such interventions would be necessary to ensure that more young Nigerians can benefit from opportunities that allow them to fulfil their potential.
The call for equal opportunities comes amid growing concerns about youth unemployment, economic hardship, and the widening gap between the privileged and the marginalised in Nigeria. Afeez, who was elected NANS president in May 2026 after polling 349 votes at the association's national convention held at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja, has consistently prioritised inclusive and responsive leadership for the student body. A student of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology and a former Senate President of NANS, he pledged to protect the rights and welfare of Nigerian students wherever they study. Under his leadership, NANS has launched several initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for students, including the NANSInnovate 2026 entrepreneurship programme, which offers student entrepreneurs an opportunity to compete for funding to grow their businesses. The programme provides a platform for student entrepreneurs to present their ideas before investors, business leaders and industry experts.
Afeez has also been at the forefront of intervening in crises affecting students, including the accreditation controversy at Atiba University's Law programme in Oyo State, where he insisted that students should not be made to bear the consequences of errors allegedly committed by the university's management. The NANS president's call for equal opportunities resonates deeply with millions of Nigerian youths who face systemic barriers to education, employment and economic participation. The International Youth Day programme at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre provided a platform for these concerns to be heard at the highest levels, with Afeez using the opportunity to challenge the status quo and demand a more equitable society. As Nigeria grapples with the challenges of youth unemployment, educational inequality and economic marginalisation, the NANS president's message serves as a reminder that the nation's future depends on its ability to provide every young person, regardless of their background, with a fair opportunity to succeed. His call for government to break barriers and create equal opportunities for all young Nigerians is a challenge that policymakers, institutions and stakeholders cannot afford to ignore.
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