Human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, voiced concern over the current leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), accusing them of aligning too closely with the government’s agenda rather than advocating for students’ rights.
Falana made these remarks at the inaugural edition of The Yinka Odumakin Inter-faculty Debate and Public Lecture, organized by the Student Union of Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
He emphasized the need to refocus NANS to champion the interests of Nigerian students, calling for the lifting of the ban on student unions and urging collaboration between student and trade unions to safeguard education rights.
Expressing disappointment in NANS’ recent alignment with government policies, Falana stressed that the association’s primary duty is to defend students, not governments.
He urged NANS to address pressing issues affecting students, including the tragic deaths at Nassarawa State University and the alarming trend of student abductions for ransom.
Falana also called on governments to prioritize the establishment of a social security system for vulnerable citizens instead of tokenistic measures like distributing food aid.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of investing in security equipment to combat kidnappings and terrorism, cautioning against viewing state police as a sole solution to the country’s security challenges.
Reflecting on his own student activism and membership in the Alliance of Progressive Students (ALPS), Falana highlighted the legacy of advocacy for social justice within student movements, echoing the ideals championed by the late Yinka Odumakin, a fellow ALPS member.
