Elegbede Abiodun
The National Association of Nigerian Students will elect a new president on May 24 during its 2026 national convention scheduled to hold in Abuja.
The Chairman of the 2026 Independent Convention Planning Committee, Omotayo Samuel, said this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Abuja.
Samuel said the committee was set up by the NANS President, Olusola Oladoja, on March 8, 2026, in line with the provisions of the association’s constitution, to coordinate activities leading to the convention.
He said several sub-committees had been constituted to ensure effective coordination and smooth execution of the convention.
“The sub-committees were carefully constituted to allow proper delegation of responsibilities and ensure efficiency in the planning process,” he said.
According to him, the committees include Screening and Verification, Screening Appeal, Venue and Protocol, Welfare and Entertainment, Accommodation, Security, Stakeholders Engagement, Medical and Emergency, Media and Publicity, Fund Raising and Finance, Election Management, Transport and Logistics, Contact and Mobilisation, and Accreditation.
Samuel said each sub-committee has at least 10 members drawn from the six geopolitical zones to ensure inclusiveness and balanced participation.
He added that disciplinary measures had been put in place for any member found wanting in the discharge of their duties.
The committee chairman also unveiled the timetable for the convention process, stating that pre-convention activities began on March 8 and would run until March 30.
According to him, nomination and accreditation forms will be available for collection between April 1 and April 7, while submission of completed forms will take place from April 8 to April 10.
He said, “Physical screening of aspirants would hold from April 12 to April 19, while verification of studentship by the Screening and Verification Committee would run from April 20 to April 27.”
Samuel added that screening results would be released on April 29, while the appeal window would open from May 1 to May 7, with final appeal results to be announced on May 9.
He said the convention activities would hold from May 22 to May 25 at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja.
According to him, delegates are expected to arrive on May 20, while a peace accord with the Department of State Services will be held on May 21.
He added, “ The presidential debate will take place later the same day, while accreditation of delegates will be conducted on May 23, ahead of the election scheduled for May 24.”
He also clarified that aspirants’ intent forms are free and should not attract any payment.
“We call on all stakeholders and aspirants to cooperate with the committee as we work towards a successful and transparent convention,” he said.
The National Association of Nigerian Students, founded in 1956 as the National Union of Nigerian Students, was rebranded as NANS after the former body was banned in 1978 following the “Ali Must Go” protests.
