The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced that it 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, made this known on Wednesday while briefing journalists in the Federal Capital Territory.
Samuel explained that the committee was inaugurated by the current NANS President, Olusola Oladoja, on March 8, 2026, in line with the association’s constitution to organise activities leading to the convention.
He said several sub-committees have been set up to ensure the smooth planning and coordination of the event.
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, Fundraising and Finance, Election Management, Transport and Logistics, Contact and Mobilisation, and Accreditation.
Samuel noted that each sub-committee has at least 10 members drawn from the six geopolitical zones to ensure broad participation and fairness in the planning process.
He added that disciplinary measures have also been introduced to address any misconduct by committee members while carrying out their duties.
The committee chairman also released the timetable for the convention, stating that pre-convention activities began on March 8 and will end on March 30.
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He said nomination and accreditation forms will be available for collection from April 1 to April 7, while completed forms are expected to be submitted between April 8 and April 10.
According to him, physical screening of aspirants will hold from April 12 to April 19, while verification of studentship by the Screening and Verification Committee will take place from April 20 to April 27.
Samuel said the screening results will be announced on April 29, while appeals will be entertained between May 1 and May 7, with final appeal results expected on May 9.
He added that the convention itself will run 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 involving the Department of State Services will be held on May 21. A presidential debate will also take place on the same day.
Accreditation of delegates will be conducted on May 23, ahead of the presidential election scheduled for May 24.
Samuel also clarified that aspirants’ intent forms are free and should not attract any payment.
He urged stakeholders and aspirants to cooperate with the committee to ensure a transparent and successful convention.
The National Association of Nigerian Students was founded in 1956 as the National Union of Nigerian Students before it was renamed NANS in 1978 after the former body was banned following the “Ali Must Go” protests.
