NANS Condemns NILEST's Ban on Students' Union Government

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly condemned the decision by the management of the Nigeria Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST) to ban the institution's Students' Union Government (SUG), describing the action as an attack on students' rights and freedom of association.

In a press statement dated July 29, 2026, and signed by the NANS President, Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez (GCNS), the association expressed deep concern over the decision taken by the institution's management under the leadership of Dr. Auwal Mustapha Imam, FNIP, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NILEST.

NANS described the ban as a unilateral and unjustifiable decision, insisting that students have the constitutional right to freely associate and be represented through a Students' Union Government. The association maintained that no institution's management has the authority to permanently suppress or abolish students' union activities.

According to NANS, the action amounts to oppression, intimidation, and a violation of students' rights. The association argued that just as staff unions cannot be arbitrarily banned, students should also be allowed to operate their union freely to promote their welfare and represent their interests.
The student body therefore called on the management of NILEST to immediately reverse the decision and embrace dialogue as a means of resolving any issues affecting the institution.

NANS further warned that it would explore all lawful means to protect the rights of Nigerian students and ensure that students' voices are not silenced. The association reaffirmed its commitment to defending students' welfare and opposing every form of tyranny, oppression, and intimidation in tertiary institutions across the country.