pannigeriannews 
By Isaiah Adewole
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has thrown its weight behind protesting law students of Atiba University, Oyo State, over the unresolved crisis surrounding the institution’s Law programme and the students’ inability to proceed to the Nigerian Law School.
In a statement dated August 24, 2026, and signed by the NANS President, Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, the association said the affected students had exhausted avenues of consultation and dialogue before resorting to protest.
NANS expressed concern that students who had spent years pursuing their legal education and invested substantial financial resources were now allegedly stranded because of unresolved regulatory issues surrounding the university’s Law programme.
The students’ protest follows an earlier intervention by NANS, which had called on the management of Atiba University to urgently address the crisis. However, according to the student body, the university management had failed to respond adequately to the students’ concerns.
“It is unacceptable that innocent students who were duly admitted, who have completed their academic requirements and passed the requisite examinations, are left to bear the consequences of regulatory issues for which they are in no way responsible,” NANS said.
The association further questioned the continued admission of students into the Law programme, alleging that the university had been unable to secure the necessary recognition and approval from the Council of Legal Education (CLE), thereby leaving graduates unable to proceed to the Nigerian Law School.
NANS said the university management must accept responsibility and provide a clear and credible solution for all affected students and graduates.
The association also commended the protesting students for taking what it described as a “bold step” after attempts at dialogue had failed, assuring them of its “unalloyed support” throughout the struggle.
“NANS stands in solidarity with you, we are with you in this struggle, and we will ensure that we achieve the desired result,” the statement added.
NANS also called on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to take stringent regulatory action against Atiba University, including withdrawing the institution’s licence.
The association argued that the university should not continue admitting students into a programme it alleged was not duly accredited, particularly where graduates could be left unable to continue their professional training after completing their university education.
The student body consequently demanded that Atiba University immediately resolve all outstanding issues concerning its Law programme and establish a credible pathway through which affected students and graduates who have fulfilled the requisite academic requirements can proceed to the Nigerian Law School.
NANS warned that failure by the university to address the matter within the earliest possible time would compel the association to escalate the issue further.
Reaffirming its position, NANS said it would continue to amplify the concerns of Nigerian students and remain engaged until a satisfactory resolution was reached.
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