National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected the alleged selection of Student Union Government (SUG) executives at the Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State.
The students’ body said the process was undemocratic and violated students’ rights.
In a statement signed by its national public relations officer, Comrade Obidah David, on behalf of the NANS national president, Comrade Babatunde Akinteye Afeez, the association condemned the purported emergence of the SUG executives through a selection process conveyed in a memorandum dated 26th July, 2026.
NANS said student leaders should emerge through a transparent, credible and democratic electoral process, insisting that any form of imposition undermined the principles of student participation and independent student unionism in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
It described student unionism as a platform for nurturing leadership, accountability and democratic values, adding that denying students the opportunity to choose their representatives could weaken confidence in institutional governance.
According to him, no university management, committee, or administrative body has the authority to replace the collective decision of students with an imposed leadership structure.
The association expressed concern that allowing such a process to stand could encourage similar practices in other higher institutions across the country.
“NANS remains committed to constructive engagement and peaceful dialogue. However, we will not stand by while the democratic rights of Nigerian students are undermined,” he stated.
NANS has therefore demanded the immediate cancellation of the purported SUG executives announced through the July 26 memorandum, withdrawal of all administrative actions linked to the selection process, and the establishment of an independent electoral process that would allow eligible students to freely participate.
It also called on the university management to guarantee that future students’ union elections would be conducted without interference, manipulation, or imposition.
The association issued a seven-day ultimatum to the management to reverse the decision and begin arrangements for a free, fair and credible Students’ Union election.
NANS warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would lead to the activation of lawful measures, including peaceful demonstrations, petitions to relevant government agencies and education stakeholders, and other constitutional actions aimed at protecting students’ democratic rights.
