NANS sets up committee for 2026 National Convention

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By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has inaugurated an Independent Convention Planning Committee (ICPC) to organise its 2026 National Convention, marking the beginning of preparations for a leadership transition in the student body.

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Chairman of the committee, Omotayo Oladele Samuel, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press conference in Abuja, where he outlined the planning framework, procedures and timetable for the convention scheduled for May.

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Oladele said the committee was inaugurated by the NANS National President, Olushola Oladoja, on March 8, 2026, in line with the provisions of the association’s constitution.

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He explained that the committee has been mandated to coordinate and supervise activities leading to the national convention, which will take place from May 22 to May 25, 2026, at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja. The event will culminate in the election of a new national president and other executive officers of the association.

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The convention will also mark the end of the tenure of the current NANS leadership led by Oladoja.

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To ensure smooth organisation of the event, Oladele said the ICPC had constituted several sub-committees to manage different aspects of the convention.

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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.

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According to him, each sub-committee comprises at least ten members drawn from the six geopolitical zones to ensure inclusiveness and balanced national representation.

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He also disclosed that disciplinary measures had been put in place to address any misconduct by committee members during the planning process.

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Oladele further unveiled the timetable for the convention and its pre-convention activities. He said delegates are expected to begin arriving in Abuja on May 20, while a peace accord involving aspirants and the Department of State Services (DSS) will hold on May 21. A presidential debate among aspirants is also scheduled for the same day.

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Registration and publication of the final list of accredited delegates will take place on May 22, followed by accreditation on May 23, while the main election is scheduled for May 24. Delegates are expected to depart Abuja on May 25.

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Oladele called on Students’ Union Governments across tertiary institutions to work with their respective Joint Campus Committee chairmen to process accreditation forms for delegates.

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He added that nomination forms for aspirants are free and warned that late submissions would not be accepted.

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The ICPC chairman assured stakeholders and aspirants that the committee would ensure fairness, transparency and strict adherence to the rules guiding the convention.

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“We call for the cooperation of all stakeholders as we work collectively to ensure a successful NANS 2026 convention,” he said.

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