The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has clarified its position on the ongoing controversy surrounding the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Committee on Life Skills and Critical Thinking, insisting that the student constituency was adequately consulted and represented during the committee’s formation.
The student body also urged sister student unions to refrain from exceeding their jurisdiction and issuing public statements without first conducting proper fact-finding and verification.
The clarification followed a joint press statement issued by the National Association of University Students (NAUS), the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), and the National Association of Colleges of Education Students (NANCES), which alleged that student representation was excluded from the newly inaugurated JAMB committee.
NANS Rejects Allegations of Student Exclusion
In an official press release issued on Sunday, NANS President, Distinguished Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, dismissed the allegations as unfounded, attributing them to a misunderstanding of the operational boundaries of the various student unions.
Afeez reaffirmed NANS’ position as the apex representative body and umbrella organisation for Nigerian students across the country and in the diaspora.
According to him, while specialized student unions retain autonomy within their respective educational sectors, issues concerning national student policies and the general student population fall under the responsibility of NANS.
“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,” Afeez stated.
He explained that NAUS primarily represents university students, NAPS focuses on polytechnic students, while NANCES represents students in colleges of education.
“When it comes to policy formulations and activities that involve the general student body, NANS is the apex body responsible for such engagements,” he added.
NANS Confirms Participation in JAMB Committee Inauguration
Addressing the controversy surrounding the inauguration of the JAMB Committee on Life Skills and Critical Thinking, the NANS President disclosed that the examination board had formally invited his office to participate in the event.
However, due to other official engagements, Afeez explained that he delegated the NANS Vice President (Special Duties), Comrade Ernest Nkereuwem, to represent the association and the Nigerian student community at the inauguration.
The clarification was intended to establish that NANS was aware of and involved in the committee’s constitution, contrary to claims that student representation had been excluded.
NANS Apologises to JAMB Registrar Over Public Outcry
The student body also expressed regret to the leadership of JAMB over the controversy and public reaction that followed the statements issued by the sister unions.
Speaking on behalf of NANS, Afeez apologised to the JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, for any inconvenience allegedly caused by the media attention surrounding the matter.
“On behalf of the leadership of NANS, I apologise to the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, for any inconvenience the media outrage might have caused him. The student constituency was properly carried along, and we were fully involved and part of the process,” the statement read.
NANS Urges Student Unions to Verify Information
NANS called on other student organisations to seek clarification and conduct comprehensive verification before issuing public statements on matters relating to national student welfare, policy development, and institutional engagements.
The association maintained that proper coordination and respect for the responsibilities of different student bodies were necessary to prevent misunderstandings and unnecessary public controversy.
NANS further reiterated its commitment to supporting initiatives and policies that promote the welfare, development, and interests of Nigerian students.
The latest statement comes amid discussions over student participation in the JAMB Committee on Life Skills and Critical Thinking, with NANS seeking to clarify its involvement and the respective roles of student representative organisations.