The National Association of Nigerian Students, on Thursday, distanced itself from a planned protest reportedly being organised by activist Omoyele Sowore and his associates, warning Nigerian students nationwide not to be deceived or used by “selfish and politically motivated individuals.”
Its President, Olushola Oladoja, who addressed journalists at the Federal Cooperative College in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, described the reports linking the association to the proposed #FreeNnamdiKanu protest scheduled for October 20th as false, misleading, and mischievous.
Oladoja, who spoke alongside zonal and campus leaders of the student body, said the national leadership convened the press briefing to “set the record straight” and protect the integrity of NANS from being dragged into political controversies.
“We wish to state categorically and unequivocally that NANS is not, and will not be, part of any protest organised or influenced by Sowore or any other politically motivated group or individual. The entire claim is false, mischievous, and designed to drag the name of our noble Association into political controversies that do not align with our mandate as a student body.”
He explained that while the association remains committed to defending the rights and welfare of Nigerian students, it would not allow its platform to be hijacked by politicians or activists pursuing personal agendas.
“NANS believes in rule of law, due process, and peaceful engagement, and will not participate in any agitation relating to the ongoing legal proceedings involving the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
“The matter concerning Kanu is a legal issue before a competent court of law. It would therefore be inappropriate, unlawful, and irresponsible for NANS to mobilise any protest on a matter before the judiciary”, Oladoja said.
He accused Sowore and his allies of using NANS’ name to gain credibility for their “politically driven agenda,” emphasising that the students’ body would remain focused on education, youth development, peace, and national unity, not partisan politics.
The NANS president, therefore, appealed to parents and guardians across Nigeria to warn their children and wards against joining any protest “sponsored by greedy and self-serving politicians.
“These individuals exploit the energy and vulnerability of young people for personal gain while abandoning them when crises erupt,” he said, urging security agencies and the media to disregard any claim that NANS is planning to mobilise for the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest.
He reiterated that there is no faction within NANS, stressing that the body remains “one united and legitimate national students’ movement” with a clearly defined structure and leadership.
Oladoja also addressed the ongoing face-off between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government, following the lecturers’ two-week warning strike.
“We have done our research and seen the problem. We therefore urge ASUU and the Federal Government to reconvene within 72 hours and resolve this dispute. Nigerian students cannot continue to suffer for issues they did not create.
“NANS remains a united, law-abiding, and patriotic association committed to the peace, progress, and prosperity of Nigeria. We will continue to champion the interests of students through constructive engagement, not chaos or politically induced protests,” he stated.
Historically, NANS has been a powerful force in the nation’s socio-political discourse, known for organising massive protests that have successfully pressured the government on key issues.
Given Nigeria’s vast youth population, its endorsement or opposition carries significant weight.
It is against this backdrop of its influential history that NANS’s decision to publicly distance itself from the planned #FreeNnamdiKanu protest.
The trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra is a sensitive legal and political matter. By explicitly rejecting any association with the protest, NANS aims to protect its institutional integrity and avoid being drawn into a contentious controversy that falls outside its core mandate.
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