NANS to Tinubu: Release Withheld Osun LG Funds

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the continued withholding of statutory allocations due to the 30 local government areas in Osun State.

The students’ body made the appeal in an open letter to the President on Tuesday, following the August 15, 2026 governorship election in the state.

The letter, signed by the Coordinator of NANS Southwest Zone D, Adeyemo Josiah, said the conclusion of the election presented an opportunity for the state to begin a new phase of governance and development.

NANS noted that Governor Ademola Adeleke had secured re-election and that President Tinubu had congratulated him on his victory, arguing that the conclusion of the electoral contest should pave the way for greater focus on governance.

“The election is over. Political differences should now give way to governance and development,” the students’ body said.

The association urged the President to extend what it described as the democratic spirit demonstrated during the election to the unresolved issue of local government allocations.

According to NANS, available public records indicated that more than ₦200 billion in statutory allocations had accumulated as withheld funds by the middle of 2026, with additional allocations expected to accrue monthly.

The students argued that the issue extended beyond political or administrative considerations, stressing that local governments provide services that directly affect students and residents of host communities.

“For us as students, this is not merely a political or administrative dispute. Local governments are the closest tier of government to our campuses and host communities, and their financial capacity directly affects roads, sanitation, healthcare, water supply, security, youth development and other services upon which students also depend,” the statement said.

NANS Southwest called on Tinubu to direct relevant federal institutions to resolve any outstanding legal or administrative issues and ensure that the funds are released to the constitutionally recognised local governments through a lawful, transparent and accountable process.

The association also urged the local governments to ensure that any released funds translate into tangible development, particularly in communities hosting tertiary institutions.

It cautioned against portraying the release of the allocations as a victory for any political party or individual.

“Mr President, the people have spoken through the ballot. We respectfully appeal that the Constitution and the principles of grassroots democracy should also be allowed to prevail.

“Let politics give way to governance. Let the funds reach the people,” NANS said.

The students’ body maintained that releasing the funds would instead represent “a victory for constitutional governance, local government development and the people of Osun State.”