The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), North Central Axis (Zone C), has backed the directive of the NANS National President, Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, for intensified efforts toward the reopening of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, Niger State.
The association, in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Comr. Abiola Azeez Babatunde, said it would activate its structures across the seven North-Central states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for coordinated, peaceful and lawful mobilisation in solidarity with students of the university.
NANS Zone C said the National President had approved the mobilisation and expressed commitment to relocating the NANS National Headquarters to Niger State from October 1, 2026, until meaningful progress is made towards resolving the issues responsible for the prolonged closure.
According to the students’ body, the closure has kept thousands of IBBU students at home and disrupted their academic activities, including examinations and graduation plans.
The association said it had consistently pursued dialogue and constructive engagement with relevant stakeholders, stressing that disputes affecting students should be addressed through meaningful negotiations.
However, NANS Zone C said prolonged disruption of academic activities required stakeholders to take urgent steps towards resolving the outstanding issues and restoring normal academic activities.
The association called on the Niger State Government, university authorities, relevant unions and other stakeholders to return to the negotiating table, resolve the outstanding issues and provide a clear and time-bound pathway for reopening the institution.
NANS Zone C also stressed that its planned mobilisation would be peaceful and lawful, maintaining that its primary objective was to ensure that students return to their classrooms and continue their education.
The association said it was not seeking confrontation or political advantage, but was focused on the resumption of academic activities at IBBU Lapai.
The prolonged closure of the university has raised concerns over the disruption of students’ academic programmes and the institution’s academic calendar.
NANS Zone C said it would continue to support efforts aimed at securing an immediate and lasting resolution to the situation.
“Our students have waited long enough. Our classrooms must reopen. IBBU Lapai must return to academic activities,” the statement said.
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Education