NANS retracts statement on Olatunji-Bello’s funding comments
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has retracted its earlier statement criticising former Lagos State University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello.
NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Afeez, made this known in a statement made available to the news reporters on Saturday in Lagos.
Afeez said the earlier position was based on a misunderstanding of Olatunji-Bello’s comments on tuition fees, university funding and financial sustainability.
He said further clarification and fact-finding established that Olatunji-Bello’s position had been misconstrued.
According to him, Olatunji-Bello did not advocate the commercialisation of education or the imposition of a minimum tuition fee of N1 million on students.
“Rather, her position was that the delivery of quality university education requires adequate funding,” he said.
Afeez said Olatunji-Bello also emphasised the need for universities to pursue financial sustainability through innovation and diversified revenue streams.
He said NANS acknowledged that its earlier statement did not fully capture the context and intent of Olatunji-Bello’s position.
Consequently, Afeez said the association had unequivocally retracted its earlier statement titled: “N1 Million Minimum Tuition Fees: Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello Goofed.”
He said NANS withdrew the contents and conclusions of the statement and regretted the misrepresentation of Olatunji-Bello’s position.
The NANS president, however, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to accessible, affordable and quality education for Nigerian students.
He said the association also recognised the need for adequate funding, sustainability, innovation and alternative revenue-generation mechanisms in universities.
Afeez urged university managements to explore sustainable funding alternatives without imposing additional financial burdens on students.
He also called on media organisations to verify facts before publishing reports, particularly on sensitive national issues such as education.
“As the apex student representative body in Nigeria, we remain committed to constructive dialogue and intellectual engagement,” he said.
He said NANS would continue to advocate for the advancement and collective interests of Nigerian students.