A new controversy has erupted at the heart of Nigeria's student politics, as the newly elected President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Atiku Abubakar Isah, has publicly accused Seyi Tinubu the son of Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of offering him a ₦100 million bribe and orchestrating his abduction.

Bribery Allegations and a Violent Ordeal

In a shocking statement released this week, Atiku alleged that shortly after his emergence as NANS president, he was approached and offered ₦100 million to endorse and publicly support the administration of President Tinubu. According to him, he refused the offer  and what followed was a harrowing ordeal.


Atiku claims that on April 15, 2025, he was abducted, stripped naked, and brutally assaulted. He alleges that the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Managing Director of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). Under duress, he was reportedly forced to record a video resigning from his position as NANS president  a video that later circulated online and caused widespread confusion.


Despite the humiliation and threats, Atiku went ahead with his inauguration and has since doubled down on his claims, vowing to restore the integrity of NANS and fight against political interference in student affairs.


“No amount of intimidation can silence me. I remain committed to protecting Nigerian students and exposing the political manipulation of our union,” Atiku said.

Seyi Tinubu Responds

Seyi Tinubu has denied all the allegations, describing them as completely false and politically motivated. He insisted that he has no involvement in the internal matters of NANS and accused his detractors of dragging his name into a student leadership crisis for selfish reasons.


Supporters of Seyi, as well as some NANS stakeholders, have echoed his position, pointing fingers at factional struggles within the student body as the real source of the controversy.

Calls for Investigation and Rule of Law

The scandal has triggered a national debate about the autonomy of student bodies and the growing concern over political infiltration. Civil society groups and human rights advocates are now calling for an independent investigation to ascertain the truth.


Meanwhile, critics have urged both the presidency and security agencies to take the matter seriously and ensure justice is served  not just for Atiku but for the integrity of youth and student representation in Nigeria.


What’s Next for NANS?

As the dust settles, Atiku remains defiant, insisting he will not back down. He continues to serve as NANS President, reaffirming his commitment to serve Nigerian students and expose “the political puppeteering threatening the future of youth advocacy.”


This developing story is a test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and will likely set a precedent for how student unions interact with political power in the future.