NANS Fires Back at UI Students' Union Over Adebowale Criticism

Adewale Amoo 

The National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) President, Comrade Azeez Babatunde, has issued an official response to the University of Ibadan Students' Union (UI SU) following the union's decision to distance itself from his recent statement criticizing the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale.

In a release obtained through the NANS official Facebook page, the statement stressed that the UI Students' Union, led by Adeboye Temidayo (Deboye), had claimed it was not consulted prior to the release by NANS President, which described the outgoing Vice-Chancellor's tenure as undemocratic and narcissistic and called on the ICPC to thoroughly investigate his administration.

The statement further stressed that NANS is the apex national student body, noting that the association does not require approval from any campus students' union before commenting on or solidarity concerning matters affecting students nationwide.

"First, let me make it abundantly clear that the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is not an appendage of any campus students' union. NANS is the apex representative body of Nigerian students, with a constitutional mandate that transcends the boundaries of any single institution."

 The NANS President clarified that the statement he issued was based on facts gathered from reports, petitions, testimonies and interactions with students, alumni and stakeholders. He stressed further that the reaction was neither sourced from the institution's students' union nor required the authorisation of the Deboye-led administration before NANS could fully exercise its constitutional duty.

NANS President noted that while "Deboye is entitled to his personal assessment of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor based on his experience, he should equally acknowledge that his experience cannot erase or invalidate the experiences of others who have raised legitimate concerns. Leadership requires listening to every side, not merely the voices closest to power," the statement read in part.

The statement also encouraged and reminded him that being the President of the Students' Union does not qualify him as the custodian of truth concerning an institution, stressing that there are thousands of students whose experiences may differ and NANS must listen to all without bias.

"It is also important to remind him that occupying the office of a Students' Union President does not make one the exclusive custodian of truth regarding an institution. There are thousands of students whose experiences may differ, and NANS has a duty to listen to all of them without fear or favour."

According to the release, NANS encouraged Deboye to seek clarification from the national body or open a channel for constructive engagement, rather than resorting to a public rebuttal. "Such an approach risks creating unnecessary divisions within the student movement at a time when unity is most needed."

Moreover, the statement stressed that the body would never seek permission before defending Nigerian students, noting further that they would continue speaking against injustice, abuse of office, anti-student policies and anything that threatened the welfare and dignity of students, regardless of whose interests are affected.

Babatunde said that Deboye's right to his views was respected, but his personal experience could not serve as the official yardstick for determining the legitimacy of concerns raised by other students. "I respect Comr. Deboye's right to his views, but I reject any suggestion that his personal experience should become the official yardstick for determining the legitimacy of concerns raised by other students."

Furthermore, the NANS President also said that his office demanded courage and unwavering commitment to all Nigerian students, and that he must discharge those responsibilities without intimidation, bias or compromise.

The statement concluded: "The doors of NANS remain open for sincere dialogue. However, our commitment to protecting the interests of Nigerian students remains non-negotiable."

The statement was released following the University of Ibadan Students' Union's communique today, 25th July 2026, distancing itself from the NANS President's claims and description of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor's tenure as undemocratic and narcissistic, and its call on the ICPC for a thorough investigation.

Following this, NANS has begun substantiating its claims, calling Professor Kayode Adebowale's tenure undemocratic and anti-student in policy-making, noting that students who staged peaceful demonstrations were rusticated despite a court ruling ordering their reinstatement, and that his administration refused to comply with the rule of law and constitutional rights of those affected students.

"This is an administration under which students who protested were expelled. Those students challenged their expulsion in court and secured judgement in their favour. Rather than accepting the decision and allowing them to return to complete their education, the University chose to continue the legal battle by appealing the judgement. To us, that reflected an approach that prioritised institutional pride over reconciliation with students," the statement read.

During Adebowale's tenure, students experienced skyrocketing school fees, causing many families to struggle under the weight of the charges, while numerous students resorted to crowdfunding and public appeals simply to remain in school.

The statement stressed that there are many alleged policies and actions perceived by students as anti-student, which led to NANS' decision to amplify the voices of concerned students.