40-year-old NANS President Expelled For Fraud, One Week After Endorsing President Jonathan's Re-election Ambition

It’s not everyday you find a 40-year-old leading a union comprising of undergraduates, unless – of course – you are in Nigeria.

Just last Thursday, as president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), 40-year-old Tijani Usman, endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for reelection as president. The endorsement generated ripples across several NANS chapters across the country including in Lagos and Borno.

On Monday, Usman was shown the red card by the National Joint Campus Committee (NJCC), which is the legislative body of the union.

The NJCC led by Yakubu Abdullai, chairman, and Magnus Okosisi, secretary, said that Usman is guilty of fraud and impersonation. It urged all parastatals to disregard Shehu and his executive members.

In a statement, the NJCC said:

“NANS hereby expels Tijani Usman and his executive members, and warns them to stop parading themselves as NANS executives so as to avoid the wrath on Nigerian students whom they terribly betrayed on several occasions,” read a statement signed by Abdullai and Okosisi.

“This has become necessary in view of the pains inflicted on the union as a result of the misinformation on Asaba election and blatant disregard of the position of Nigerian students on national issues.

“NANS calls on agencies, ministries, state governments and foreign missions to stop dealing with Tijani Usman and his executives. They have been an embarrassment to NANS. “We thank Nigerians for their support and understanding on issues that concern students and we will replicate such gesture by presenting credible and acceptable leadership that will champion the overall interest of NANS.”