By Francis Ajuonuma
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Turkish Zone, has elected Comrade David Somtochukwu Okafor of Girne American University (GAU) as its National President for the 2026/2027 administration.
In a communiqué signed on September 15 by the Convention Electoral Chairman, 2026 NANS TR Zone Convention, Emmanuella Akubuko, and made available by the newly elected Vice President (National Affairs), Odunze Chibuike Divine, on Monday, the association disclosed the outcome of the convention.
The election and inauguration of the new executives took place at the 2026 National Convention held on Saturday, September 12, at Amphitheatre 3 Hall, Cyprus International University (CIU).
The convention, which lasted from 12:20 pm to 4 pm, was attended by delegates from the five zones, chapter presidents, secretariat members, observers and national stakeholders.
The five-zone structure adopted at the 2025 convention was retained, with no further changes proposed.
The convention also resolved a controversy over voting rights after delegates debated a Senate by-law restricting voting for executive positions to Senate members.
It was agreed that Executive Council members would also vote alongside Senate members.
In the Senate election, Comrade Idris Muhammad Usman of NEU defeated Comrade Samuel of CIU by 26 votes to 13 to emerge Senate President, while Wisdom A. Ake of CAU was elected Deputy Senate President.
Other principal officers elected were Mustafa Tanimu Adamu, Vice-President (External Affairs); Adebayo Temitope Emmanuel, Vice-President (Special Duties); Jude Bamidele Alabi, Secretary-General; Festus Ikenuo, Assistant Secretary-General; Collins Chovhe Egheneji, Chief of Staff; and Victory Awhotu Agberia, Financial Secretary.
The convention also suspended the outgoing Senate President, Comrade Joshua Silvanus, following a motion adopted by more than two-thirds of Congress.
The suspension followed a finding of negligence of duty under Article 13 of the NANS Turkish Zone Constitution, as amended in 2025.
Senator Eliana Shekwonya Abraham was subsequently sworn in as Acting Senate President for the duration of the convention.
In his acceptance speech, Okafor pledged an administration focused on continuity and grassroots empowerment.
He subsequently appointed Alabi as Secretary-General and Egheneji as Chief of Staff, with both immediately sworn into office.
The convention also conferred life membership of NANS Turkish Zone on outgoing President Daniel Okpala after a motion by Okafor was adopted by Congress.
The newly inaugurated administration pledged to sustain the association’s commitment to unity, transparency and the academic and social welfare of Nigerian students in Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
