Students Mentorship Summit Holds,NANS Lauds Tinubu
ABUJA — The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for practical interventions aimed at improving the welfare and academic advancement of Nigerian students.
Speaking at the Students Mentorship Summit held at National Merit Award House, NANS President Olushola Oladoja highlighted the impact of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that it has provided measurable support to students across tertiary institutions in the country.
"He also acknowledged the relative academic stability achieved in recent years, observing that public tertiary institutions have not experienced prolonged disruptions from strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for about three years—a development he described as encouraging for the education sector.
Oladoja further disclosed that the Federal Government has approved perimeter fencing across tertiary institutions nationwide to strengthen campus security and curb insecurity within academic environments.
He urged Nigerian youths to view themselves as leaders of today rather than tomorrow, emphasizing the importance of responsibility, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking. According to him, students must develop capacity beyond the classroom by building entrepreneurial mindsets capable of creating opportunities and solving societal challenges.
The summit, organised by NANS PRO, attracted students, youth leaders, civil society actors, and institutional stakeholders to engage on mentorship, leadership development, entrepreneurship, and national growth.
Earlier, NANS Public Relations Officer Comrade Samson Adeyemi noted that the gathering aimed to address the mentorship gap affecting many young Nigerians. He cautioned students against devoting time and resources to activities that do not contribute to their future, stressing the need for focus, discipline, and purpose, and urged leaders to create enabling environments for youth talent to thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development.
A major highlight of the summit was the presentation of awards to selected mentors and public leaders who have impacted youth development and national service. Award recipients included Muhammed Bulama, Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), who called on youths to rise above distractions and position themselves for national relevance.
Bulama described education as a critical instrument for transformation, urging students to leverage knowledge as a strategic tool for leadership, innovation, and value creation. Other awardees included Favor Paul, founder of TGH Foundation and Mentorship Initiative, and Khadija Ibrahim, President of Being Human Foundation, in recognition of their contributions to mentorship and social development.
The summit concluded with renewed calls for stronger mentorship structures, enterprise development, and responsible youth participation in nation building, reaffirming the role of mentorship and purposeful engagement in shaping Nigeria’s next generation of leaders.
