The National Association of Nigerian Students has elected Akinteye Babatunde of the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology as its new national president following the successful conclusion of the association’s 2026 national convention held at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.
Akinteye, a former NANS Senate President, emerged victorious after a keenly contested election involving five presidential candidates. He officially succeeds the outgoing NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, whose tenure has ended.
Akinteye won the election after polling 349 votes to defeat his closest rival, Aminu Maipanpo of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, who secured 12 votes, while Olumide Odumosu of Olabisi Onabanjo University garnered 10 votes. The other contestants in the presidential race were Awoyinpa Opeoluwa Elijah of the Federal University of Technology Akure, and Opaleye Samuel Oladutun of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
The convention, conducted under tight security with the presence of police officers and operatives of the Department of State Services, was described by participants as one of the most peaceful in the history of the association. Over 300 delegates participated in the convention, including Student Union Government presidents, Senate presidents, and other student leaders from tertiary institutions across the country.
Speaking shortly after his emergence, the new NANS president commended the peaceful atmosphere during the convention, noting that there were no crises, violence, or disputes throughout the process. “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 indicates that NANS is united, and we will continue to work together,” he said.
He pledged to sustain the achievements of the outgoing administration while promoting unity among Nigerian students, assuring that his administration would reposition the association for greater impact across campuses nationwide.
Outgoing President Oladoja expressed confidence in his successor’s ability to lead the association well. “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 succeeding me is someone I strongly believe in and trust in terms of capacity,” he said.