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.
Chairman of the 2026 Independent Convention Planning Committee, Omotayo Samuel, revealed this on Wednesday while speaking with journalists in Abuja.
Samuel explained that the committee was inaugurated by the NANS President, Olusola Oladoja, on March 8, 2026, in accordance with the association’s constitution to oversee preparations for the convention.
He noted that several sub-committees had been set up to ensure proper organisation and smooth conduct of the event.
“The sub-committees were carefully constituted to allow proper delegation of responsibilities and ensure efficiency in the planning process,” he said.
According to him, the committees 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.
Samuel stated that each sub-committee has at least 10 members drawn from the six geopolitical zones to promote inclusiveness and balanced representation.
He added that disciplinary measures had also been put in place for any member who fails to properly carry out assigned duties.
The committee chairman further released the timetable for the convention, noting that pre-convention activities began on March 8 and will continue until March 30.
He said nomination and accreditation forms will be available for collection between April 1 and April 7, while completed forms are expected to be submitted from April 8 to April 10.
“Physical screening of aspirants would hold from April 12 to April 19, while verification of studentship by the Screening and Verification Committee would run from April 20 to April 27,” he said.
Samuel added that the screening results will be released on April 29, while the appeal window will run from May 1 to May 7, with final appeal results to be announced on May 9.
He said the main convention activities will take place from May 22 to May 25 at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja.
According to him, delegates are expected to arrive on May 20, while a peace accord with the Department of State Services will be held on May 21.
He added, “ The presidential debate will take place later the same day, while accreditation of delegates will be conducted on May 23, ahead of the election scheduled for May 24.”
Samuel also clarified that aspirants’ intent forms are free and should not attract any payment.
“We call on all stakeholders and aspirants to cooperate with the committee as we work towards a successful and transparent convention,” he said.
The National Association of Nigerian Students was founded in 1956 as the National Union of Nigerian Students before it was later renamed NANS after the former body was banned in 1978 following the “Ali Must Go” protests.
