The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has warned its sister unions against spreading misinformation and overstepping their jurisdictions regarding the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Committee on Life Skills and Critical Thinking. NANS President, Afeez Akinteye, issued the warning in a statement on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Akinteye's statement was in response to claims by the National Association of University Students (NAUS), National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), and National Association of Nigerian Colleges of Education Students (NANCES) that JAMB excluded student representation.
Akinteye emphasized that each sister union has autonomy but is limited to its respective constituency. He stated that NAUS represents university students, NAPS represents polytechnic students, and NANCES represents colleges of education students. The NANS president faulted the claims by the sister unions that no student body was carried along in the constitution of the JAMB Committee. According to Akinteye, JAMB reached out to him in his capacity as the NANS President to be part of the committee.
Akinteye disclosed that he was away on official assignments on the day of the committee's inauguration and was represented by the NANS Vice President, Special Duties, Ernest Nkereuwem. He urged the sister unions to refrain from addressing issues without prior fact-finding and to seek clarification before issuing press statements on matters affecting the general student population.
The NANS president reaffirmed the association's commitment to advancing initiatives and policies that promote the welfare of Nigerian students. He stated that NANS remains the mother body for all sister unions and the apex representative body for Nigerian students. Akinteye emphasized that sister unions must recognize their limitations and not address issues that affect the general student populace.
Akinteye clarified that sister unions can only be involved in policy formulation and activities particular to institutions within their respective jurisdictions. He stated that when it comes to matters affecting the general student populace, NANS is the apex representative body responsible for such engagements.
The NANS president apologized to the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, for any inconvenience the media outrage might have caused him. Akinteye emphasized that the student constituency was properly carried along and fully involved in the process of constituting the JAMB Committee.
The caution by NANS comes as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) continues to implement policies aimed at improving the quality of education in Nigeria. The Board's efforts have been focused on promoting critical thinking and life skills among students. Key to these efforts is the recently constituted JAMB Committee on Life Skills and Critical Thinking.
Key points
- NANS cautions sister unions against spreading misinformation on JAMB Committee constitution.
- JAMB Committee on Life Skills and Critical Thinking aims to promote critical thinking and life skills among students.
- NANS reaffirms its commitment to advancing initiatives and policies that promote the welfare of Nigerian students.
