OSUN’S 752,800 STUDENT VOTERS SEND STRONG SIGNAL — POLITICAL ACTORS IGNORE THEM AT THEIR PERIL, SAYS NAUS

The National Association of University Students (NAUS) has called on political parties, candidates and other political actors preparing for the 2027 General Elections to give students the same level of political attention and consultation routinely extended to religious leaders, traditional institutions, professional associations, business groups and other organised constituencies.

The association made the call while drawing attention to voter-category figures circulated ahead of the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election, which indicate that 752,800 registered student voters, representing 32.2 per cent of the registered electorate reflected in the data, are eligible to participate in the election.

NAUS said the figure should serve as a wake-up call to political actors ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that students should no longer be treated merely as campaign audiences, rally crowds or mobilisation tools.

In a statement signed by its National President, Dr. Meshach Anthony Nwankwo, DVM, the association described students as citizens, voters and stakeholders with legitimate interests in governance and public policy.

“Students are not merely an audience for political campaigns. We are citizens, we are voters, we are stakeholders, and we are an increasingly significant force in Nigeria’s democratic process,” Nwankwo said.

He urged political parties and candidates to move beyond inviting students to rallies and engage them directly on issues affecting their lives and future, including education, employment, security, innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership development.

According to NAUS, political actors regularly consult traditional institutions, religious bodies, professional organisations, business communities and civil society groups when developing political strategies and policies.

The association argued that organised students deserve similar recognition and should be deliberately included in political consultations and policy conversations.

“Students must have a seat at the table, not merely a seat in the campaign crowd. A seat in policy engagement, democratic consultation and the conversations that shape our future,” it stated.

NAUS clarified that it was not demanding preferential treatment but recognition of students as a legitimate constituency whose views should form part of discussions around governance and public policy.

The association identified affordable and quality university education, student financing, youth employment, entrepreneurship, digital skills, innovation, security, transportation, industrial training, employability and leadership development as key areas requiring sustained political attention.

It also urged political parties and candidates to establish credible and continuous channels of engagement with student leaders and the wider student community, rather than approaching students only during election campaigns.

Looking ahead to the 2027 General Elections, NAUS warned that political actors who fail to understand the growing importance of young voters risk missing an important constituency.

“Political actors who understand this reality will not wait for election day before engaging students. They will consult. They will listen. They will engage. They will build partnerships,” the association said.

The student body further called on students and other young Nigerians to participate peacefully and responsibly in the electoral process, stressing that political participation should never be associated with violence, intimidation or confrontation.

“Our democratic weapon is not violence, intimidation or confrontation. Our weapon is our PVC,” NAUS stated.

It urged student leaders to intensify voter education, encourage eligible students to understand their civic responsibilities and ensure that electoral irregularities are documented and reported through lawful channels.

NAUS also advised students to vote according to their conscience and resist attempts by political actors or other individuals to manipulate or intimidate them.

The association maintained that meaningful student participation should not end after elections, advocating continued civic education, policy engagement, accountability and constructive interaction between students and elected representatives.

NAUS described the 752,800 student voters reflected in the Osun figures as more than a statistic, saying the number represents hundreds of thousands of citizens with families, communities, aspirations and expectations about the future of Nigeria.

It therefore urged political parties, candidates and campaign organisations to recognise students as a major democratic constituency and engage them through policy-driven consultations, accountability and mutual respect.

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