The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has said recent policies and interventions of the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu are contributing to improvements in the welfare and academic experiences of Nigerian students.
The association particularly identified the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), improved electricity supply in some tertiary institutions and a reduction in prolonged industrial actions as developments capable of positively affecting students across the country.
NANS President, Akinteye Afeez, stated this during a meeting between a delegation of the student body and representatives of the APC Youth Network West Africa at the organisation’s secretariat in Lagos.
Afeez said Nigerian students were closely monitoring government policies and their effects on their education, welfare and overall academic experiences, irrespective of their individual political affiliations.
“Students are not necessarily defined by membership of political parties,” he said, adding that students were more concerned about developments and policies with direct implications for their education and social wellbeing.
The NANS president said interventions such as the student loan scheme were particularly important because access to financial support remained a major concern for many students and their families.
NELFUND was established to provide financial assistance to eligible students in tertiary institutions, with the scheme designed to support access to higher education and reduce the financial pressures associated with tuition and other educational expenses.
Afeez also pointed to improvements in electricity supply in some university campuses, noting that access to more reliable power could contribute to better learning, research and living conditions for students.
He further linked the reduction in prolonged industrial actions within parts of the tertiary education system to a more stable academic environment.
According to him, prolonged strikes have historically disrupted academic calendars, delayed graduation and created uncertainty for students and their families.
The NANS president said the association would continue to communicate developments affecting education and student welfare to its members across the country.
He also disclosed his support for the Tinubu administration and indicated plans to mobilise students in support of the President ahead of the 2027 general election, with the association reportedly targeting 10 million votes.
The engagement between NANS and the APC Youth Network West Africa also focused on issues surrounding student welfare, educational development, youth participation, ongoing student-related projects and possible areas of collaboration.
Afeez called for stronger relationships between student leaders and other youth stakeholders, saying greater collaboration was necessary to advance issues affecting Nigerian students and young people.
“There is a need for stronger relationships among student leaders and youth stakeholders,” he said.
The Director-General of the APC Youth Network West Africa, Olatunde Gideon Igbasan, was represented at the meeting by Olumayowa Jose, the Alaaye of Dome-Kwabenya, Accra, Ghana.
Representatives of the network’s Directorate of ICT, Media and Publicity and Welfare Directorate were also in attendance.
The representatives of the APC Youth Network welcomed the NANS delegation and commended the student leaders for initiating the engagement.
Both groups explored possible partnerships aimed at improving student welfare, strengthening leadership development and expanding youth participation in national affairs.
The meeting is expected to open further channels of communication and collaboration between NANS and the APC Youth Network West Africa on issues concerning Nigerian students and young people.
The comments by the student body come amid continuing national discussions about the cost of tertiary education, student accommodation, campus infrastructure, security and access to financial support.
In July, NANS itself declared a national emergency over the deteriorating condition of student hostels across universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, citing concerns about sanitation, safety, overcrowding and the welfare of students.
The development underscores the continuing importance of student welfare in Nigeria’s education sector, as student leaders, government agencies and other stakeholders seek solutions to challenges affecting access, learning conditions and the overall experience of students in tertiary institutions.
