By Peter Omopo
Abuja, April 30, 2025 — A former Senate President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Henry Okunomo, has voiced strong concerns over growing political interference in the student body, warning that the organisation is straying dangerously from its founding principles.
In an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, Okunomo specifically questioned the alleged involvement of Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, in the affairs of NANS, describing it as emblematic of a broader issue of external control.
“In fact, the organisation is almost losing it,” Okunomo said, lamenting that student leadership positions are increasingly determined by political connections rather than merit or genuine student representation. “If you do not have government backing, I’m afraid you might not be able to become anything in the organisation.”
He criticised the shift from advocacy to political patronage, warning that the body originally established to defend the rights and interests of Nigerian students is now heavily influenced by partisan agendas.
“Everybody is now tagging themselves to one political party or the other. The organisation is already losing the purpose of its creation,” he added.
Okunomo’s remarks come amid renewed scrutiny of the independence and integrity of student leadership in Nigeria, as observers call for reforms to return NANS to its core mission.
