Olusola Oladoja, a student of the University of Jos, has been elected as the new President of the National Association of Nigerian Students.
Oladoja emerged victorious in the election conducted during the NANS national convention, which began on Sunday with the arrival of delegates, a stakeholders’ meeting, and candidate screening. The process culminated in voting that extended into late Wednesday.
Speaking at a world press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Oladoja, flanked by other newly elected executive officers, pledged to resist arbitrary tuition hikes in tertiary institutions across the country.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to building on the legacies of the immediate past NANS President, Lucky Emonefe, whose tenure, he said, ushered in a new era for student leadership.
Outlining his plans for a nationwide campus tour, Oladoja emphasised the need to engage students directly, address pressing issues in tertiary institutions, and foster a more inclusive and student-centred leadership.
He commended the NANS convention planning committee for organising a free, fair, and credible election, praising their dedication, transparency, and commitment to the success of the process.
“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the immediate-past leadership of NANS, led by Lucky Emonefe (National President) and Akinteye Babatunde Afeez (Senate President). Their contributions to the struggle for students’ rights, better welfare, and quality education will always be acknowledged,” Oladoja said.
“I pledge to build on the solid foundation they have laid while advancing the cause of Nigerian students.”
Calling for unity, Oladoja urged his co-contenders in the election to see the outcome as a collective victory and work together to improve the welfare of Nigerian students.
The immediate-past president, Emonefe, expressed confidence in the new NANS leadership, describing them as credible and unanimously elected by Nigerian students.
He also affirmed that the election was supervised by security agencies and student representatives from campuses across the country.
