The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has dismissed claims that no student body was represented in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Committee on Life Skills and Critical Thinking.
In a press release issued on Saturday, September 20, 2026, NANS President, Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, said JAMB duly carried the student constituency along in the constitution of the committee.
The statement was in response to a joint press statement reportedly issued by three sister unions — the National Association of University Students (NAUS), National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), and National Association of Colleges of Education Students (NANCES) — which had called out JAMB authorities over the committee’s composition.
Akinteye said it was necessary to “set the record straight” on the jurisdictions and limitations of sister unions.
“NANS remains the mother body for all sister unions, the apex representative body representing Nigerian students, and the umbrella body unifying all student structures both within Nigeria and in the diaspora,” the statement read
According to him, while sister unions have autonomy, their scope is limited to their respective institutions. He noted that NAUS covers university students, NAPS covers polytechnic students, and NANCES covers colleges of education, while matters affecting the general student populace fall under NANS.
“Therefore, all sister unions must come to terms with the fact that it is not within their purview to address issues that affect the general student populace,” he said.
On the substantive issue, the NANS President clarified that he was personally contacted by JAMB to serve on the committee.
“Contrary to the claims of the sister unions that no student body was carried along or represented, JAMB reached out to me in my capacity as the NANS President to be a part of the committee. For the avoidance of doubt, the student constituency was duly represented,” he stated.
He explained that he was absent at the inauguration due to other official assignments and was represented by the NANS Vice President, Special Duties, Comr. Ernest Nkereuwem.
Akinteye urged sister unions to conduct proper fact-finding before issuing public statements on matters concerning the general student populace.
He also apologized to the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, for any inconvenience caused by the media outrage.
“The student constituency was properly carried along, and we were fully involved and part of the process,” he added, pledging NANS’ continued support for policies that advance student welfare
