- Westo Adekunle Adejumo | Premier World News
A former Ogun State Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students Joint Campus Committee (JCC), Dotun Opaleye, popularly known as “Zamora,” has formally declared his intention to contest for the presidency of the student body, promising a return to “purposeful, fearless and student-centered unionism”.
Opaleye ‘Zamora’ made the declaration on Wednesday during a press conference held at the Ogun NUJ Secretariat in Abeokuta, positioning himself as a reform-driven candidate ahead of the association’s May 2026 national convention.
Addressing student leaders, stakeholders and union cadres, the aspirant framed his ambition as a collective struggle rather than a personal quest.
“I stand before you, not as an individual but as your voice, your hope, and your servant”, he said. “Our struggle is not for personal aggrandizement but for collective liberation”.
A seasoned student activist with a track record spanning multiple institutions, Opaleye previously served as Clerk of the Students’ Union Government at Yaba College of Technology and held key leadership roles, including Assistant General Secretary and General Secretary, at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta Students’ Union.
He is currently the Ogun State Secretary of the National Youth Council of Nigeria and a postgraduate student at FUNAAB.
- Policy Direction and Reform Agenda:
Unveiling a five-point agenda, Zamora outlined a reform blueprint aimed at repositioning NANS as a credible advocacy platform:
- Welfare & Accessibility: Advocacy for affordable education, improved hostel infrastructure and accessible healthcare for students nationwide.
- Education Financing Reform: Push for the conversion of the Federal Government’s student loan initiative (NELFUND) into a grant system.
- Unity & Representation: Institutional reforms to ensure inclusivity, transparency, and accountability across all zones.
- Permanent Secretariat: Commitment to securing land and commencing the construction of a national NANS secretariat after over four decades of existence.
- Fee Stability Policy: Proposal for a one-year nationwide moratorium on school fee increments across tertiary institutions.
“It is unacceptable that after 45 years, NANS still lacks a national secretariat. Under my leadership, we will lay that foundation”, he stated.
- Reclaiming Identity and Institutional Integrity:
During an interactive session with journalists, the aspirant took a firm stance on the identity of the student body, distancing it from political misuse and public perception challenges.
“NANS is not a political movement; it is a students’ movement. It is not a body of touts or political thugs, but an intellectual platform for advocacy and protection of students’ rights”, he said.
He pledged to restore the association’s credibility, emphasizing that his leadership would reflect discipline, intellectualism and principled activism, values traditionally associated with Nigeria’s “Aluta” movement.
- Strong Backing from Student Leaders:
The declaration was attended by notable student leaders and union veterans, including former National President of the National Association of Polytechnic Students, Comrade Ijaduoye Olasunkanmi; former NANS Zonal Secretary, Comrade Dennis Denco; former FUNAAB Students’ Union President, Comrade Azeez Edunjobi; and NANS National Director of Arts and Culture, Comrade Peter Akeremoye, among others.
Premier World News reports that Zamora’s emergence signals a renewed push among student leaders to reposition NANS amid growing concerns over rising tuition fees, campus insecurity and declining institutional influence.
- A New Phase for Student Unionism?
With the 2026 convention approaching, his candidacy is expected to generate significant interest across campuses nationwide, particularly among student activists advocating a return to ideological clarity and structured engagement with government policies.
“The time for passive leadership is over. The time for action is now”, Zamora declared.
