The Forum of Coordinators of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has affirmed its loyalty to the directives of the association’s National President, Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, GCNS, regarding the 2027 general elections.
The Coordinators made their position known in a statement dated September 15, 2026, signed by representatives of NANS’ zonal structures across the country.
The statement comes amid growing discussions around the role of Nigerian students in civic and electoral participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Akinteye Babatunde Afeez is the current NANS National President for the 2026–2027 administration, having emerged from the association’s 2026 national convention in Abuja. NANS’ official leadership page identifies him as the elected National President.
According to the Coordinators Forum, there have previously been arguments that NANS should remain on the sidelines of electoral politics because the association is traditionally regarded as apolitical.
The forum, however, said the political consciousness of Nigerian students has evolved, particularly because government policies have direct implications for education, student welfare and the broader interests of young Nigerians.
“Before now, many political commentators believed that NANS should toe the path of apathy on the grounds that it is an apolitical body,” the statement said.
The coordinators argued that students should not remain passive observers of decisions that directly affect their present circumstances and future.
They said Nigerian students have a responsibility to participate actively in democratic processes and to pay attention to the leadership choices that shape public policy.
Forum Cites PVC Mobilisation
The Coordinators Forum also highlighted voter registration and Permanent Voter Card (PVC) mobilisation among students.
According to the statement, NANS has been mobilising its members to obtain their PVCs, describing the effort as evidence of growing student participation in the democratic process.
The forum stated that Nigerian students constitute a significant portion of the country's population and argued that their participation in elections could have implications for governance and public policy.
The statement further described Nigerian students as intellectuals who should be prepared to participate in the 2027 elections and subsequent democratic processes.
Coordinators Recognise NANS Leadership Structure
The forum also sought to clarify the leadership structure of the association, noting that NANS operates through its Joint Campus Committee (JCC), zonal and national structures.
The Coordinators identified Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, GCNS, as the Global President of NANS and said the various structures operate within the broader framework of the national association.
The NANS official website similarly lists Akinteye as the National President of the 2026–2027 administration.
‘We Identify With His Leadership’
The Coordinators Forum said it identifies with the leadership of Akinteye and expressed confidence in his judgment and discernment.
“We identify with the leadership of Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, GCNS, Global President of NANS. We are confident in his leadership, judgment, and discernment,” the statement read.
The forum subsequently affirmed that it would remain aligned with directives issued by the NANS President concerning the 2027 general elections.
“As the Forum of NANS Coordinators, we affirm our loyalty to the directives of the NANS President on the 2027 general elections and await his direction accordingly,” the statement added.
The statement was signed by representatives of five NANS zonal structures.
They are:
- Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi — Coordinator, NANS Zone F; Chairman, Forum of Coordinators
- Mohammed Muazu Hina — Coordinator, NANS Zone E; Secretary, Forum of Coordinators
- Comr. Victor Ogechukwu Anthony — NANS Zone B Coordinator
- Abiola Azeez Babatunde — Zone C Coordinator
- Comr. Josiah Adeyemo (BILLIONCODES) — Zone D Coordinator
The document is dated September 15, 2026.
The Forum of Coordinators concluded by reaffirming its stated commitment to the directives of the NANS President as the association approaches the 2027 general elections.
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