NANS HOSTS STUDENT MENTORSHIP SUMMIT AT OOU

By Victor Oguntade

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, held the maiden edition of the Students’ Mentorship Summit (SMS ’25) at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye.

The summit, themed “Every Role, Every Voice: Advancing Nigeria through Innovation, Citizenship, and Collective Responsibility,” marked the first-ever edition of the event to be hosted at OOU.

The keynote address was delivered by Engr. Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), who was represented by Dr. George Ene-Ita, the Director of Public Affairs of the agency.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, was represented by Mrs. Osho Olubunmi, Director of Secondary Education in the state ministry. The university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Oladipupo.

The convener of the summit, Comrade Adeyemi Samson Ajasa — popularly known as Sam Richie — a Political Science graduate of OOU and the National PRO of NANS, delivered the welcome address.

In his remarks, Comr. Ajasa expressed gratitude to the university management and other dignitaries for their support, urging the audience to give a standing ovation to the hosts. He described the summit as a defining moment for Nigerian students to take ownership of their future.

“Today is not just another date on the calendar — it is a declaration. A declaration that we, the students of Nigeria, are not waiting for the future to happen; we are building it — right here, right now — with our voices, talents, innovations, and shared sense of duty to this great nation,” he said.

He added that the Students’ Mentorship Summit goes beyond being an event, calling it “a movement of minds, a convergence of convictions, and a breeding ground for bold ideas.”

“In this era of uncertainty and global transformation, we must move beyond passive citizenship. Every student must see themselves as a nation builder, not a mere bystander,” he emphasized.

In his goodwill message, the NANS National President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, urged students to seize the opportunity to learn, network, and commit themselves to excellence.

“As a generation faced with both challenges and opportunities, this summit reminds us that building a better Nigeria is not the sole duty of government but a collective responsibility that demands active participation from every student and youth,” he said.

Oladoja further explained that the vision of NANS extends beyond agitation to include reorientation, empowerment, mentorship, and nation-building.

“We are determined to prepare our members not just to demand change, but to become the change our nation desperately needs. Through mentorship, we can bridge the gap between leadership and followership, between experience and aspiration,” he stated.

The summit concluded with a call to action on innovation, responsible citizenship, and collective effort toward national development.

Students from various institutions attended the event, which also featured the presentation of awards to distinguished guests from public service, academia, industry, civil society, and the diplomatic community.