Comrade Nwuruku Olisa Alfred has declared his intention to contest for the position of President of the Senate of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, ahead of the association’s 2026 national convention.
Alfred made the declaration in a statement addressed to zonal coordinators, national officers, senators, chairmen of Joint Campus Councils and other stakeholders in the Nigerian student movement.
According to him, his decision followed wide consultations with leaders across the student constituency and is aimed at strengthening the legislative arm of the association.
He noted that Nigerian students are at a crucial stage in the country’s educational development and must remain active participants in shaping policies and reforms affecting the sector.
“The Nigerian student constituency must not remain a passive observer but must remain an active and constructive partner in shaping the policies and ideas that will determine the future of education in our nation,” he said.
The aspirant stressed that the NANS Senate must operate as the intellectual parliament of the Nigerian student community where issues affecting students are debated and democratic ideals of the movement are preserved.
Speaking on his experience in student leadership, Alfred said his aspiration is built on years of service both at campus and national levels.
At Ebonyi State University, EBSU, he served as Secretary-General of the Faculty of Biological Sciences, Students’ Union Government Senator representing the Faculty of Biological Sciences.
At the national level within National Association of Nigerian Students, he served as National Director of Special Duties and also worked within the Directorate of Inter-Campus Affairs at the NANS headquarters.
He also played active roles within the former NANS Zone B structure, where he was involved in coordinating and mobilising student leaders across the South-East and South-South regions.
Outlining his agenda, Alfred pledged to reposition the NANS Senate as a functional legislative institution through regular sittings and policy deliberations on issues affecting Nigerian students.
He also promised to strengthen the voice of Nigerian students in national discourse, particularly on matters relating to education funding, institutional stability and student welfare.
Other priorities listed by the aspirant include strengthening institutional accountability within NANS, promoting policies that advance student welfare and fostering unity across campuses and regions.
Alfred said his campaign is anchored on the mantra, “Yes, We Can,” which he described as a belief that Nigerian students can rebuild the legislative dignity of the NANS Senate.
He therefore called on senators and stakeholders within the student movement to support his aspiration at the forthcoming national convention.