The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has drawn attention to a silent health crisis affecting students across campuses and is now turning to key government agencies for help.
In a new initiative launched in partnership with Unity Campus Services, NANS is appealing to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to support efforts to address the growing health issues affecting young Nigerians in tertiary institutions.
Speaking on the matter, NANS Senate President, Comrade Usman Adamu Nagwazw, noted that troubling health data gathered from various campuses shows that many students are facing serious medical conditions that often go unnoticed.
He stated that the association’s recent health outreach revealed that more than 60% of tested students are already dealing with stage two hypertension, high fasting blood sugar, and intense mental pressure. Most of these students are around 20 years old.
“This initiative is not just a programme—it is a call to save the future of our nation,” Nagwazw said.
According to the findings, many students avoid health checks due to the poor condition of medical facilities on campuses, long wait times, and the pressure of academic schedules. To tackle this, NANS, under the leadership of Comrade Olushola Ladoja, joined forces with Unity Campus Services to introduce a digital health system powered by technology.
This system connects students to smart health tools that monitor vital signs right from their hostels. The data is then shared instantly with medical experts through digital kiosks and mobile apps. In case of any urgent issue, help can be sent to the student immediately. The platform also allows for remote health consultations through facial-scan technology, giving students access to real-time medical support.
Comrade Adejorin Tai Manuel, one of the main student leaders behind the effort, described the programme as a digital breakthrough that is set to change how healthcare is delivered to students in Nigeria.
“This is not merely a programme, it’s a revolution in how student health is approached in Nigeria,” Nagwazw said. “We are not just fighting for comfort, we are fighting to prevent the premature deaths of our brightest minds.”
NANS is calling on TETFund, NELFUND, and university authorities, along with well-meaning Nigerians, to back this effort. While some universities have shown interest, more support is needed for the programme to reach all campuses nationwide.
“We must not be remembered as the generation that looked away while students died in silence. We must be the ones who made history by saving the future,” Nagwazw concluded.
