The National Association of Nigerian Students elected Akinteye Babatunde as its new national president on Monday. Delegates made the choice at the 2026 national convention held at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja.
Akinteye, a student of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology in Ondo State, defeated four other candidates in a keenly contested election. He previously served as NANS Senate President. He succeeds Olushola Oladoja, who completed his term as president.
The convention proceeded under tight security provided by police officers and operatives of the Department of State Services. Participants described the event as one of the most peaceful in the association’s history. Over 300 delegates from across the country, including student union presidents and senate leaders, attended the gathering.
Akinteye Babatunde spoke to delegates shortly after his victory. He expressed gratitude for their support. “The leadership of NANS has conducted our election successfully and the new leadership has emerged. I thank all the delegates for electing me, a student of OAUSTECH, as the new president of NANS,” he said.
He highlighted the absence of any crisis, violence, or disputes during the process. “In the history of NANS, this is one of the best conventions we have witnessed. There was no crisis, no gunshot, no fight. All the contestants against me have congratulated me already. This shows that NANS is united, and we will continue to work together to keep the association as one,” Akinteye added.
The new president pledged to build on the achievements of the previous administration. He assured Nigerian students that his team would reposition NANS for greater impact on campuses nationwide. “Our activities will soon be felt across campuses and the country will know that NANS is active and committed to students’ welfare,” he stated.
