NANS Sets for Nationwide Protest October 20 to Demand Release of IPOB Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has declared its intention to embark on a nationwide protest to demand the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

According to the students’ body, the protest, tagged “Free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” is scheduled to hold on Monday, October 20, 2025, and will feature massive participation of Nigerian students from all parts of the country converging in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the National President of NANS, Comrade Atiku Isah, and dated October 13, 2025, the leadership of the association disclosed that the decision was reached during its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, after extensive deliberations on issues of justice, civil rights, and democratic accountability in Nigeria.

The statement read:

“Following the resolution reached at the recent executive meeting of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the leadership of NANS hereby calls on all Nigerian students to participate in the ‘Free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’ nationwide protest scheduled to hold on Monday, 20th October, 2025.”

To ensure effective coordination and participation, NANS revealed that students from all six geopolitical zones of the country will first converge in their respective regional centres before proceeding to Abuja for the main protest.

According to the association, the South West zone will assemble in Ekiti State, the South East in Enugu, the South South in Edo State, the North East in Bauchi, the North West in Kano, and the North Central in Lokoja, Kogi State.

In preparation for the mass action, NANS announced that ten buses have been allocated to each zone to convey participants to the Federal Capital Territory, while logistical arrangements will be coordinated through Students’ Union Government (SUG) presidents across all tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

“This mobilisation is part of the collective demand for justice, civil rights, and democratic accountability. As students, we affirm that freedom is achieved through struggle, and we remain committed to peaceful advocacy for what is right,” Comrade Isah stated.

The planned demonstration comes amid renewed public agitation, particularly across the South East, following a series of court judgments declaring Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s continued detention unlawful.

Several human rights organisations and Igbo socio-political groups have also intensified calls on the Federal Government to respect judicial pronouncements and release the IPOB leader unconditionally.

As the date approaches, anticipation builds nationwide, with NANS maintaining that the protest will remain peaceful and focused on upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and democracy in Nigeria.