The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has denied claims that it pulled out of the planned nationwide protest demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a statement issued on Thursday evening, NANS President, Comrade Atiku Isah, reaffirmed that the association remains fully committed to participating in the protest, which is scheduled to begin on Sunday, October 20, 2025.
This followed conflicting reports earlier in the day which quoted a certain Olushola Oladoja, allegedly claiming to be the NANS President, saying the student body had no involvement in the protest.
Oladoja reportedly spoke at the Federal Cooperative College in Ibadan, Oyo State, describing reports linking NANS to the protest as “false, misleading, and mischievous.”
However, Comrade Isah strongly dismissed those claims, saying the statement did not come from NANS leadership. He accused unnamed government agents of sponsoring fake individuals to discredit the students’ planned protest.
“The attention of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has been drawn to an online publication aimed at misleading concerned Nigerians who are dissatisfied with the injustice by the Nigerian government,” the statement read.
“Some touts were hired to claim to be members of our prestigious organization, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), by agents of government to disassociate themselves from the planned peaceful protest.”
Comrade Isah further encouraged Nigerians to join the protest, insisting that the students are exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly and demanding justice for Nnamdi Kanu.
“We urge all well-meaning Nigerians to join the protest for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. An injury to one is an injury to all. All for one and one for all,” he stated.
Earlier in the week, NANS had released the protest schedule, with students expected to gather in their respective zones before heading to Abuja for a mass demonstration.
According to Comrade Isah:
South West Zone students are to converge in Ekiti State and depart for Abuja on Sunday, October 19;
South East Zone students are to meet in Enugu;
South-South Zone students are expected to gather in Edo State.
No information was provided for the Northern zones at the time of this report.
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was re-arrested in 2021 after fleeing Nigeria while on bail. He is currently facing terrorism-related charges brought against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Kanu and IPOB have long demanded an independent state of Biafra, leading to tensions and frequent crackdowns in the South East. While IPOB has been proscribed as a terrorist group by the Nigerian government, many of its supporters argue that Kanu’s continued detention is unlawful and politically motivated.
Recently, public calls for his release have increased, with both local and international human rights groups urging the Nigerian government to respect court rulings and human rights standards.
The NANS-led protest is part of a growing civil movement pushing for Kanu’s immediate and unconditional release. The student body says its decision to join the protest is based on the principle of justice and fairness.
“We cannot sit and watch as injustice is carried out against any Nigerian,” the NANS President said. “This protest is not just about Nnamdi Kanu, it’s about the rule of law.”
While security agencies have yet to officially comment on the planned protest, there are growing concerns about potential clashes or a crackdown on demonstrators, especially in Abuja.
NANS, however, insists that the protest will be peaceful and has called on security agencies to respect the rights of the students.
“We are not armed, we are not causing violence. We are only asking for justice,” Comrade Isah emphasized.
