The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to the management of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, to reconsider its decision on students expelled over a financial scandal that rocked the institution months ago.
The delegation, led by Comr. Emmanuel Segun Amos, National Director of Private Institutions Affairs, NANS, said the visit was in line with the directives of the NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez.
The high-powered delegation, which included the Chairman of NAUS Ondo State, General Secretary of NANS Ondo State, Treasurer of NAUS Ondo State, Social Director of NANS Ondo State, NANS Southwest Director of Public Complaints, SUG President of Margaret Mosunmola College of Health Technology, OLGASU National President, Prince Adeyemi Kendrick, and other student leaders, was received by the management team led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Omolola Irinoye.
Speaking during the meeting, Comr. Amos said the purpose of the visit was to appeal for compassion, leniency and reconsideration for the affected students, many of whom had invested several years in pursuing their academic dreams.
While acknowledging the gravity of the financial scandal and the need for accountability, the NANS director noted that the circumstances of the students' involvement were not the same.
"While some students may have been victims of the situation, we also acknowledged that others might have knowingly participated in the scheme as a business venture. We urged the management to consider each student's case individually and explore a more compassionate approach that would preserve the future of the affected students without undermining the institution's disciplinary standards," he stated.
In her response, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Irinoye, commended the NANS delegation for its maturity, professionalism and civility in presenting its case, noting that their conduct challenged the negative perception often associated with NANS.
She explained that the university's decisions were not taken arbitrarily but after careful review of available evidence, with opportunities given to the indicted students to defend themselves. She also highlighted the financial implications and reputational damage the scandal caused the institution.
However, Prof. Irinoye disclosed that there was still room for appeal, advising the affected students to channel their petitions to the Governing Board of the institution, while assuring that NANS' intervention would be considered favourably during the appeal process.
She also highlighted the university's commitment to student leadership development and its contributions through scholarships and other initiatives, which the NANS delegation commended.
Comr. Amos expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and management for their openness and willingness to engage, and thanked members of the delegation for their solidarity.
He stressed that the intervention was not an endorsement of financial misconduct but a principled appeal for fairness, compassion and a second chance.
"Our position remains clear: where wrongdoing has been established, appropriate corrective measures should be applied; however, such measures should also create room for rehabilitation, learning, and a second chance," he said.
He further disclosed that the association has arranged to meet with the Pro-Chancellor of the University, Professor Bode Ayorinde, in the coming days to further push for reconsideration of the punishment.
"We strongly believe that the affected students have learnt valuable lessons and that a reconsideration of their cases, where justified, would serve both the interests of justice and the broader objective of education," he added.
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