A former Senate President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, popularly known as Babtee, has formally declared his intention to contest for the office of President of the association, unveiling a five-point agenda tagged “EPOCH.”
Akinteye made the declaration while addressing stakeholders of the Nigerian students’ movement, including zonal coordinators, executives across the six geopolitical zones, Joint Campus Council (JCC) leaders, Students’ Union Government (SUG) presidents, and members of the press.
In his declaration speech, the aspirant stated that his ambition was driven by a strong desire to serve Nigerian students rather than personal ambition for power or popularity. He noted that his years of service within the students’ movement had prepared him for the responsibility of leading the apex student body in the country.
According to him, his journey within NANS spans several strategic positions, including serving as Joint Campus Council Chairman, Vice President (External Affairs), and later Senate President, experiences he said have provided him with deep insight into the challenges and aspirations of Nigerian students across the country.
Akinteye explained that his engagements across campuses nationwide had exposed him to the diverse realities of students while strengthening his understanding of their collective interests and shared struggles. He added that the evolution of the student movement from the defunct National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) to the present NANS has maintained the core mandate of defending and representing the interests of Nigerian students.
The aspirant also highlighted some of his previous interventions while in office, noting that during his tenure as Vice President (External Affairs), he intervened in the crisis faced by Direct Entry candidates who were stranded at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) office in Ikoyi, Lagos, due to registration challenges. He said his engagement with the JAMB Registrar helped secure the decongestion of the centre and the extension of the registration deadline for affected students.
He further recalled his role in advocating for the evacuation of Nigerian students trapped during the conflict in Sudan, adding that he was present at the airport to receive the returning students upon their arrival in Nigeria.
Akinteye also referenced his participation in protests against the prolonged Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike that shut down universities across the country, particularly in the Southwest, noting that the collective advocacy by student leaders contributed to the resolution of the crisis.
Reflecting on his tenure as Senate President, the aspirant said he led a delegation to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged abduction of students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), ensuring their eventual release after engaging relevant authorities.
He added that he also intervened in several student-related issues, including advocating justice over the death of a student of Ajayi Crowther University, facilitating the reinstatement of the suspended Students’ Union Government at the University of Benin, engaging the Dangote Group over the immortalisation of slain Adekunle Ajasin University students, responding to a hostel fire outbreak at Obafemi Awolowo University, and advocating clarity regarding the Federal Government’s ban on certificates from universities in Benin Republic and Togo.
Speaking on his campaign vision, Akinteye unveiled the EPOCH agenda, which he described as a transformative leadership framework aimed at empowering Nigerian students and repositioning NANS for greater impact.
He explained that the agenda focuses on empowerment, progress, opportunity, collaboration, and human capacity development, which he said would guide his administration if elected.
According to him, the empowerment component of the agenda is designed to strengthen students’ capacity and amplify their voices, while progress will focus on delivering measurable improvements in student welfare and academic opportunities.
He added that the opportunity pillar would prioritize access to scholarships, mentorship programmes, and internships, while collaboration would encourage partnerships with government institutions, private organisations, and development partners.
Akinteye said the final component of the agenda, human capacity development, would focus on equipping Nigerian students with practical skills, knowledge, and personal development programmes necessary to thrive in an increasingly competitive global environment.
He called on Nigerian students nationwide to support his vision, expressing confidence that the EPOCH movement would usher in a new era of purposeful leadership and transformation within the association.
The declaration, according to him, marks the beginning of a journey toward building a stronger and more impactful students’ movement capable of addressing the pressing needs and aspirations of Nigerian students.
