The newly-inaugurated Secretary General of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Oladimeji Uthman, has pledged that the new administration would be anchored on transparency, efficiency and purposeful advocacy for Nigerian students.
Daily Sun earlier reported that the new National Executive Council of NANS was inaugurated at NAF Conference Centre, Abuja on Tuesday.
In his post-inauguration address, Uthman described his emergence as “the birth of a renewed commitment to the ideals upon which NANS was founded,” saying he accepts the responsibility “with absolute humility, unwavering determination and an unshakable resolve” to justify the trust of millions of Nigerian students.
He thanked the National President, Comrade Babatunde Akinteye, members of the National Executive Council, stakeholders, student union leaders and students across campuses for the confidence reposed in him.
Uthman said the office of the Secretary General “is not merely an administrative desk, it is the heartbeat of institutional coordination, documentation, policy implementation, and organizational continuity.”
He promised that under his watch, the office will become “a symbol of efficiency, transparency, discipline, professionalism and accessibility.”
The NANS national scribe listed rising tuition fees, insecurity, inadequate learning facilities, unstable academic calendars, limited access to educational opportunities, and student welfare as the major challenges confronting Nigerian students.
He said these issues “demand principled advocacy, strategic engagement and solution-driven leadership rather than unnecessary confrontation.”
According to him, the administration will embrace innovation in record keeping, strengthen communication across all NANS structures, and promote institutional partnerships to ensure that every official engagement reflects “the dignity and credibility of our reputable association.”
Uthman also called for unity among Students Union Governments, faculty associations, departmental bodies, zonal leadership, Joint Campus Committees and stakeholders.
“Let us put aside personal interests where they conflict with the common good. Let us replace division with dialogue, hostility with collaboration and complacency with purposeful action,” he said.
“The strength of NANS has always resided in its unity, credibility and courage.”
He assured that decisions of the secretariat will be guided by “integrity, fairness, justice and an unwavering commitment to protecting students’ interests while contributing meaningfully to national development.”
“History will not remember us merely because we occupied offices. History will remember us because we transformed institutions, restored confidence, defended justice and inspired a generation of leaders,” Uthman added.
He stated, “Together, let us write a new chapter for NANS, one defined by excellence, accountability, visionary leadership and enduring service. The work begins now.”
(The Sun)
