Dare Babalola
The newly elected leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Ogun State has made an urgent appeal to Governor Dapo Abiodun to prioritise the upgrade of infrastructure and increase funding for all state-owned tertiary institutions in the state.
The newly elected chairman of NANS Ogun JCC, Gabriel Francis, according to a statement on Thursday, also called for increased funding for Ogun State’s tertiary institutions, emphasising that this would foster a better learning environment and support the delivery of high-quality higher education.
The NANS leadership also appealed to Governor Abiodun to revive and expand student financial aid programs, including bursaries and scholarships, to help mitigate the impact of the current economic challenges on students in Ogun State.
The statement confirmed that the appeal was made by the NANS leadership during their inauguration ceremony and an educational summit, which took place at the Ogun State Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences, Ilese-Ijebu, in Ijebu North-East Local Government Area of Ogun State.
NANS leader Francis praised Governor Abiodun for his support of the student community and investment in education, but emphasized that significant gaps remain and need to be addressed to strengthen tertiary education in Ogun State.
He said, “Our institutions urgently need improved infrastructure—modern classrooms, functional laboratories, hostels, libraries, safe learning environments and reliable transportation systems.”
The students’ leader added that “these demands are not luxuries but necessities for meaningful education,” appealing to the governor and relevant authorities to prioritise infrastructural renewal across state-owned tertiary institutions for the benefit of current and future generations.
Francis also said, “We equally strongly advocate for an increase in the subvention allocated to Ogun State tertiary institutions.
“Adequate subvention is the backbone of institutional stability and directly influences the welfare of both staff and students.
“Many of our campuses struggle with insufficient funding, which affects teaching quality, staff motivation, resource availability and the overall learning environment.
“We passionately request that the government enhance the subvention structure to empower our institutions to function optimally and deliver credible welfare, quality education and a conducive environment for all.”
NANS is also calling for the revival and expansion of bursary and scholarship programs for Ogun State students, aligning with national educational standards.
Francis emphasised that bursaries are crucial for students, providing vital support during difficult economic times and enabling them to stay in school and excel. He called on the government to establish a structured, transparent, and timely bursary system, ensuring consistent annual support for eligible students.
He thanked stakeholders for their support, saying his administration would be driven by accountability, inclusiveness, progressive engagement and an unwavering commitment to the welfare of every student.
