The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced plans to mobilize at least 10 million students across the country to participate in the 2027 General Election. NANS President, Akinteye Afeez, made this disclosure while announcing the constitution of the association's National Election Mobilisation Committee in Kaduna. The committee's primary aim is to sensitize and mobilize Nigerian students for active participation in the 2027 General Elections.
According to Afeez, NANS represents over 40.1 million Nigerian students, making them a significant voting bloc in the country. He emphasized that students are major stakeholders in nation-building and are directly affected by government policies and decisions at all levels. Afeez stressed that informed and active participation in elections remains crucial for citizens to contribute to strengthening democracy.
The NANS president revealed that the newly constituted committee would coordinate the sensitization, mobilization, and monitoring of students' participation in election-related activities across the six geopolitical zones. The committee would work towards facilitating the participation of at least 10 million Nigerian students in the 2027 General Elections. Afeez appointed himself as Director-General of the committee, with other members assigned to various roles.
The committee has representatives across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, covering the six geopolitical zones. In the Northwest Zone, representatives were appointed in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Jigawa states. Afeez directed the committee to commence immediate sensitization, mobilization, and monitoring of Nigerian students across campuses and tertiary institutions.
Afeez urged members to work with NANS structures, student unions, and relevant stakeholders to ensure effective coordination of election-related activities. He also directed political support groups and election-related organizations seeking to organize political activities, sensitization, mobilization, or engagements involving Nigerian students to liaise with the committee for proper coordination, notification, and monitoring.
The NANS president emphasized the importance of students' participation in the electoral process, citing their significant numbers and direct impact from government policies. The 91st sitting of the NANS National Senate, held at the Kaduna State University, agreed on the setting up of the committee. The sitting was hosted by Gov. Uba Sani and held under the theme: "Sustaining a 7-Point Policy Framework; 3 Years of Promise to Shared Prosperity."
The National Election Mobilisation Committee's formation is a significant move by NANS to ensure active participation of students in the 2027 General Elections. With over 40 million students represented by NANS, their involvement is expected to have a substantial impact on the electoral process. The committee's efforts will focus on sensitizing and mobilizing students across the country to exercise their franchise and contribute to strengthening democracy.
Key points
- NANS aims to mobilize 10 million students for the 2027 General Election.
- Students are a significant voting bloc, with NANS representing over 40.1 million Nigerian students.
- The National Election Mobilisation Committee will coordinate sensitization, mobilization, and monitoring of students' participation in election-related activities.
