27 years of uninterrupted democracy worth celebrating — NANS

By Hadiza Yusuf

A Democracy Day walk organised by the National Association of Nigerian Students under the leadership of its president, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, has been described as an opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.

Speaking at the event in Kano on Friday, the Head of the NANS Senate Secretariat, Abdullahi Muhammad Saleh, popularly known as Game Changer, said Nigeria’s democratic journey has expanded citizens’ participation in governance and improved access to opportunities.

Saleh, who also convened the programme, said the anniversary should serve not only as a celebration but also as a moment to assess the impact of democracy on the lives of Nigerians.

“We are here to celebrate democracy and the 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule in Nigeria. It is an achievement worthy of recognition,” he said.

According to him, democracy has provided citizens with important freedoms and opportunities.

“Democracy comes with several benefits, including freedom of speech, freedom of movement and freedom of expression, provided such expressions remain within the law,” he added.

Saleh cited access to educational support as one of democracy’s gains, pointing to government-backed student funding initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

“Today, children from less privileged backgrounds can pursue higher education with support from NELFUND. Beyond tuition fees, students also receive upkeep support to assist them while on campus,” he said.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic transitions, Saleh noted that successive administrations from Olusegun Obasanjo to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have contributed to national development.

“At our age, we have witnessed transitions from President Obasanjo to President Tinubu, and every administration has brought its own developmental contributions,” he said.

He also highlighted technological advancement as one of the benefits of democratic governance.

“The introduction and expansion of mobile telecommunications during the Obasanjo era transformed communication in Nigeria, and today Nigerians continue to benefit from that development,” he said.

Addressing concerns over the abduction of students, Saleh said NANS remains committed to promoting student welfare and security.

He noted that shortly after assuming office, NANS President Akinteye visited Oyo State, where he met government officials and students to discuss security concerns and reassure them of the association’s support.

Saleh added that NANS regularly organises security awareness programmes at national, zonal, state and campus levels.

“We have structures through which information is disseminated from the national level down to campuses and communities. We encourage students to be security-conscious and to support efforts aimed at improving safety,” he said.

While acknowledging that students cannot directly solve the country’s security challenges, he urged both the federal and state governments to prioritise security and education.

“Security should remain a top priority. After security, education deserves urgent attention because of its importance to national development,” he said.

He also called on Nigerians to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information.

“If we observe suspicious activities in our communities, we should promptly alert the appropriate authorities. Security is a collective responsibility,” he added.

Saleh further appealed for improved electricity supply to educational institutions, noting that many departments depend on power to operate equipment used for practical training.

He also stressed the need to equip students with practical and vocational skills that would enhance self-reliance after graduation.

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