The National Association of University Students has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in the 2026 governorship election, while urging him to use his renewed mandate to improve the lives of students, young people and residents across the state.
In a statement signed by its National President, Meshach Nwankwo, the student body said the conclusion of the election should mark the beginning of renewed attention to governance and development.
Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party, was declared the winner after polling 511,067 votes.
He defeated the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11. The African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third.
Following his re-election, the student group outlined five areas it believes should receive priority during Adeleke’s second term.
1. Education
Education is one of the major areas highlighted by the student group.
NAUS urged Adeleke to place education at the heart of his second-term agenda, noting that students are among those directly affected by government policies and investments in the sector.
The association wants the renewed administration to create an environment where students can access quality education and develop the skills needed for their future.
2. Youth Empowerment
The student body also called for stronger youth empowerment initiatives.
With young people making up a significant part of the population, NAUS wants the government to provide opportunities that will enable them to acquire relevant skills, become economically productive and contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.
3. Employment Opportunities
Creating more employment opportunities was another priority raised by the association.
NAUS urged the governor to translate his renewed mandate into opportunities for young people seeking to enter the workforce.
According to the group, governance should ultimately be reflected in the opportunities available to citizens, particularly young people.
4. Infrastructure and Security
The student group also urged the governor to pay attention to infrastructure and security.
Improved infrastructure, it noted, would contribute to better living conditions, while a secure environment would allow students, workers and businesses to operate more effectively.
5. Youth Inclusion in Governance
NAUS also wants young Nigerians to have a more meaningful role in the affairs of the state.
The association said students and young people should not be treated as passive observers of politics because government decisions directly affect their education, employment and future prospects.
“Young Nigerians and students are not merely spectators in the democratic process. They are critical stakeholders whose future is directly affected by the quality of leadership produced through elections,” the association said.
Beyond congratulating Adeleke, NAUS commended President Bola Tinubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, political parties and the people of Osun State for their roles in the election.
The association particularly noted the result-uploading and collation process, including the use of the INEC Result Viewing Portal, which it said allowed citizens to follow the electoral process.
It also urged candidates and supporters who may have grievances to seek redress through appropriate constitutional and legal channels rather than resorting to confrontation.
For the student group, however, the election is no longer the main issue.
The bigger test, it said, is what happens after the ballot boxes are packed away—particularly in classrooms, workplaces and communities, where young Nigerians experience the direct impact of government policies.
NAUS therefore urged Adeleke to make education, human capital development and youth inclusion central to his renewed administration
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