The National Association of Nigerian Students has elected Akinteye Babatunde of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology as its new national president following the conclusion of the association’s 2026 national convention held in Abuja.
Akinteye, a former Senate President of NANS, emerged winner after a keenly contested election involving five presidential candidates at the convention held at the Old Parade Ground.
He succeeds the outgoing NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, whose tenure officially ended after the convention concluded on Monday, May 25, 2026.
The convention was conducted under tight security with the presence of police officers and operatives of the Department of State Services. Participants described the exercise as one of the most peaceful conventions in the history of the association.
Speaking shortly after his emergence on Monday, Akinteye expressed appreciation to delegates for electing him and pledged to sustain the achievements of the outgoing administration while promoting unity among Nigerian students.
“The leadership of NANS has conducted our election successfully and the new leadership has emerged. I thank all the delegates for electing me, a student of OAUSTECH, as the new president of NANS,” he said.
He also commended the peaceful conduct of the convention, noting that the process was free of violence and disputes.
“In the history of NANS, this is one of the best conventions we have witnessed. There was no crisis, no gunshot, no fight. All the contestants against me have congratulated me already. This shows that NANS is united, and we will continue to work together to keep the association as one,” he added.
Akinteye assured students across the country that his administration would prioritise students’ welfare and reposition the association for greater impact nationwide.
“Our activities will soon be felt across campuses and the country will know that NANS is active and committed to students’ welfare,” he stated.
In his remarks, outgoing President Olushola Oladoja described the successful conduct of the election as one of the proudest moments of his administration.
“I thank God Almighty for giving me the opportunity to conduct a free and fair election in the history of NANS. I am happy that the person who emerged is someone I strongly believe in and trust in terms of capacity,” he said.
Oladoja expressed confidence in the ability of the new president to surpass his achievements in office.
“I wish him well and I pray God grants him wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and strength to lead NANS successfully,” he added.
Earlier during the accreditation exercise held on Sunday night at Kapital Club, Asokoro, Chairman of the Independent Convention Planning Committee, Omotayo Samuel, disclosed that over 300 delegates participated in the convention.
According to him, the delegates included Student Union Government presidents, Senate presidents and other student leaders from tertiary institutions across the country.
The presidential race featured Akinteye Babatunde Afeez of OAUSTECH, Aminu Haruna Maipampo of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Awoyinpa Opeoluwa Elijah of the Federal University of Technology Akure, Olumide Odumosu Josiah of Olabisi Onabanjo University, and Opaleye Samuel Oladutun of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
