NANS Declares Total Shutdown of Osun Campuses Over Rising Election Violence

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, has declared a total and peaceful shutdown of academic activities across all tertiary institutions in Osun State over growing security concerns ahead of the state's governorship election. The directive, announced on Monday, follows reports of increasing political violence and gunshots in communities surrounding several campuses, creating fear among students residing both on and off campus.

In a statement issued by the zonal leadership, NANS said the deteriorating security situation had made it unsafe for students to continue academic activities. The association expressed concern that despite the heightened tension, there had been no comprehensive and publicly communicated security arrangement to safeguard campuses, host communities, and major transport routes during the election period.

Declaring its position with the slogan, "No Security, No Academic Activities," the student body directed all Joint Campus Council (JCC) executives, Students' Union Governments (SUGs), and students across Osun State to comply fully with the shutdown and prepare to return home until normalcy is restored. NANS emphasized that the action was a precautionary measure aimed solely at protecting the lives of students.

The association also warned students against allowing themselves to be used by political actors during the election period. It advised students not to surrender their personal information to unknown individuals or board unbranded vehicles arranged by unidentified persons for voter-related activities, stressing that personal safety should remain their highest priority.

NANS maintained that the shutdown was neither politically motivated nor targeted at any political party or candidate. It called on the Osun State Government, security agencies, and managements of tertiary institutions to urgently provide credible security assurances and engage recognized student leaders to ensure a safe environment before academic activities can resume. The statement was jointly signed by the Southwest Zone D Coordinator, Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode; Secretary General, Comrade Ojetola Babatunde Yussuf; and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Tope Olugbemi, on behalf of the zonal leadership.