The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) will elect a new president on May 24 during its 2026 national convention, the association announced on Wednesday.
Chairman of the 2026 Independent Convention Planning Committee, Omotayo Samuel, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja. He said the committee, inaugurated by NANS President Olusola Oladoja on March 8, 2026, is coordinating activities leading to the convention in line with the association’s constitution.
Samuel outlined that several sub-committees have been constituted to ensure smooth execution of the convention. These include Screening and Verification, Screening Appeal, Venue and Protocol, Welfare and Entertainment, Accommodation, Security, Stakeholders Engagement, Medical and Emergency, Media and Publicity, Fund Raising and Finance, Election Management, Transport and Logistics, Contact and Mobilisation, and Accreditation. Each sub-committee has at least 10 members drawn from the six geopolitical zones.
He said disciplinary measures have been put in place for any member found wanting in the discharge of their duties.
Samuel also released the timetable for convention activities. Pre-convention activities began on March 8 and will run until March 30. Nomination and accreditation forms will be available for collection between April 1 and April 7, with submission of completed forms from April 8 to April 10. Physical screening of aspirants is scheduled for April 12 to April 19, followed by verification of studentship from April 20 to April 27. Screening results will be released on April 29, while the appeal window will run from May 1 to May 7, with final results announced on May 9.
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The convention itself will take place from May 22 to May 25 at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja. Delegates are expected to arrive on May 20, while a peace accord with the Department of State Services will be held on May 21. The presidential debate will also hold on May 21, with delegate accreditation on May 23 ahead of the May 24 election.
Samuel emphasized that aspirants’ intent forms are free and called on all stakeholders and aspirants to cooperate with the committee to ensure a transparent convention.
Founded in 1956 as the National Union of Nigerian Students, NANS was rebranded after the former body was banned in 1978 following the “Ali Must Go” protests.