The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has dismissed allegations that it has remained silent over the rising cases of student and schoolchildren abductions across the country, insisting that the association has consistently engaged government authorities and security agencies to secure the release of victims.
The reaction followed a Facebook post by former presidential adviser, Ojudu Babafemi, who questioned what he described as the association’s silence in the face of growing insecurity affecting students.
In his post dated July 24, 2026, Ojudu compared the activism of students in India, where protests have reportedly been staged over examination leakages and unemployment, with the situation in Nigeria, where he said students face frequent abductions by bandits without corresponding action from their umbrella body.
He lamented that the once-vibrant student movement appeared to have lost its voice, asking, “When students stop speaking for students, who then speaks for the future?”
Responding in a statement on Friday titled “Setting the Record Straight: A Response to Mr. Ojudu Babafemi’s Claims,” NANS President, Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, described the allegation as misleading, maintaining that the association had remained active in addressing issues affecting Nigerian students.
According to Akinteye, shortly after assuming office on May 25, 2026, the association issued an official statement condemning the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as well as incidents in Zamfara State.
He said the national leadership mobilised NANS structures across the country to visit affected communities in Oyo State, commiserate with victims’ families, address the media, engage the state government, and hold meetings with security agencies, including the police and military, to press for the safe rescue of the abducted students.
The NANS president further disclosed that the association later issued another statement urging the Federal Government and Oyo State Government to intensify rescue efforts, noting that the victims were eventually rescued.
Akinteye argued that rather than resorting to protests, the association deliberately adopted dialogue and strategic engagement with relevant authorities, saying the approach yielded positive outcomes without disrupting security operations.
“We have left the era of empty and unproductive protests for intellectual engagement, constructive dialogue, and productive advocacy,” he said.
The NANS leader also highlighted what he described as other achievements of the current administration, including engagement with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which he said resulted in a reduction of outstanding student upkeep allowance payments from three months to one month.
He also claimed that the association successfully secured the reinstatement of suspended students at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), and other institutions, bringing the total number of reinstated students to more than 14.
Akinteye urged Ojudu to familiarise himself with the activities of the association through its official communication channels, insisting that NANS remains committed to the welfare, security, and interests of Nigerian students.
He reaffirmed that the association would continue to pursue advocacy through dialogue and sustained engagement while remaining vocal on issues affecting students and the nation.
