The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, has commended the President of NANS, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, for constituting the NANS National Election Mobilisation, Sensitisation and Monitoring Committee ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a press statement signed by the Coordinator of NANS Southwest Zone D, Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode (Billioncodes), the student body congratulated the 18 student leaders and stakeholders nominated across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states to serve on the regional framework of the national committee.
Adeyemo noted that with 98 days remaining until the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections, establishing a structured national framework for student electoral participation is a timely and strategic initiative.
Citing recent voter registration metrics across the region, the zonal leadership highlighted the substantial presence of young voters and students in the Southwest electorate.
According to NANS, voter register data from the August 2026 Osun governorship election recorded 857,056 youths (36.64%) and 752,800 students (32.18%) out of 1,005,800 total votes cast.
Similarly, the June 2026 Ekiti governorship election recorded 382,109 votes cast, while the Ondo voter register reflected 726,944 youths and 694,938 students.
The student body stressed that while registration figures do not automatically determine voter turnout, they demonstrate the considerable democratic weight of the student demographic in shaping electoral outcomes across the Southwest.
Charging the 18 committee appointees to immediately commence grassroots engagement, NANS Southwest warned against treating the appointment as a mere ceremonial title.
The leadership called for active PVC sensitisation, voter education drives, peaceful participation campaigns, and structured collaboration with Students’ Union Governments (SUGs), Joint Campus Committees (JCCs), and zonal structures.
The Southwest zone also welcomed the national leadership’s target to facilitate the active participation of at least 10 million Nigerian students in the upcoming general elections, pledging the region’s commitment to achieving the national goal through disciplined organisation.
However, the association clarified that mobilizing students to participate in the democratic process does not signify an endorsement of any political candidate or party.
Adeyemo stated that following broad consultations, the student body will independently evaluate political candidates seeking elective offices based on their plans for education, student welfare, security, employment, and youth development, adding that any collective political stance will be determined at the appropriate time without infringing on the constitutional rights of individual students to vote according to their preferences.
