The National Association of Nigerian Students will elect a new president on May 24 during its 2026 national convention scheduled to take place in Abuja.
The Chairman of the 2026 Independent Convention Planning Committee, Omotayo Samuel, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Abuja.
Samuel explained that the committee was inaugurated by the current NANS President, Olusola Oladoja, on March 8, 2026, in accordance with the association’s constitution, to coordinate activities leading to the national convention.
According to him, several sub-committees have been established to ensure smooth planning and effective coordination of the event. 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 committees.
Samuel said each sub-committee comprises at least 10 members drawn from the six geopolitical zones to ensure inclusiveness and balanced participation. He also warned that disciplinary measures would be applied to any member found negligent in the discharge of their duties.
Providing details of the election timeline, Samuel said pre-convention activities began on March 8 and will continue until March 30. Nomination and accreditation forms will be available for collection between April 1 and April 7, while submission of completed forms will run from April 8 to April 10.
“Physical screening of aspirants will take place from April 12 to April 19, while verification of studentship by the Screening and Verification Committee will run from April 20 to April 27,” he said.
He added that screening results will be released on April 29, followed by an appeal window from May 1 to May 7, with final appeal outcomes expected on May 9.
Convention activities will hold from May 22 to May 25 at the Old Parade Ground. Delegates are expected to arrive on May 20, while a peace accord with the Department of State Services will take place on May 21.
Samuel also announced that a presidential debate for aspirants will be held the same day, while accreditation of delegates will occur on May 23 ahead of the presidential election scheduled for May 24.
He clarified that aspirants’ intent forms are free and should not attract any payment, urging stakeholders to cooperate with the committee to ensure a transparent and successful convention.
Founded in 1956 as the National Union of Nigerian Students, the organisation was later rebranded as NANS after the former body was banned in 1978 following the Ali Must Go Protests.
