NANS Zonal Coordinators Warn APC Youth Leader Against Political Programmes on Campuses

The Forum of Zonal Coordinators of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a strong warning to the National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dayo Israel, over reported plans to organise political programmes across tertiary institutions without engaging recognised student leadership. The forum described the move as unacceptable, insisting that any activity involving students must be carried out through the appropriate NANS, Joint Campus Committee (JCC), and Students' Union structures.

In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Forum, Comrade Hussaini Jamilu Ebbo, NANS Zone C Coordinator (North Central), and the Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ikechukwu Iyke, NANS Zone F Coordinator (South East), the student leaders stressed that Nigerian students should never be treated as mere tools for political mobilisation or funding proposals. They maintained that excluding legitimate student representatives from such initiatives undermines transparency, accountability, and meaningful participation.

The forum also raised concerns over the timing of the proposed programmes, noting that the country is gradually entering another election cycle with political tensions already evident in several states. According to the statement, tertiary institutions must not become arenas for partisan rivalry, political intimidation, or activities capable of exposing students to avoidable security risks. It warned that every politically related programme on campuses should undergo proper consultation with recognised student leaders and relevant authorities.

Addressing Dayo Israel directly, the forum cautioned against transforming campuses into political mobilisation grounds while sidelining structures established to protect students' welfare and security. It further called on state governments and the management of tertiary institutions to prioritise the safety, academic stability, and neutrality of campuses by ensuring that no politically sensitive event is approved without adequate security assessment and consultation with student representatives.

While reaffirming its willingness to engage constructively with political parties and other stakeholders, the Forum of NANS Zonal Coordinators declared that it would strongly resist any attempt to exploit or endanger the Nigerian student community for political interests. The forum concluded by reiterating that higher institutions exist primarily as centres of learning and development, insisting that campuses must never be reduced to political battlegrounds or platforms for partisan agendas.