Let me pull back the curtain on a story simmering beneath Nigeria’s political surface—one that ties the son of the presidency to the fiery new leader of Nigeria’s largest student body. This isn’t just about names; it’s about power, influence, and the unanswered questions gnawing at the credibility of student advocacy.
The Players and the Stage
Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, is no stranger to scrutiny. A businessman with ventures spanning media, hospitality, and infrastructure, his proximity to power has long sparked debates about privilege and access. Enter Comrade Atiku Isah, the newly elected President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), a body historically known for its militant opposition to government policies.
But here’s the twist: Weeks after Isah’s election, photos surfaced of him and Seyi Tinubu at a private Lagos club, laughing over cocktails. The images went viral, igniting fury among students already reeling from fee hikes and campus insecurity. “Is this our ‘comrade’?” one student tweeted. “Dining with the enemy while we starve in hostels?”
The Timeline of Suspicion
Let’s trace the breadcrumbs. On April 15, 2025, NANS announced Atiku Isah’s election victory, promising a return to “radical activism.” By April 25, students protested nationwide over the Tinubu administration’s proposed education budget cuts. Yet Isah’s response was muted—a single press release urging “dialogue.”
Then came the photos: April 30, Seyi and Isah at Lagos’ upscale Eko Sky Lounge. Sources confirm the meeting was facilitated by a former Lagos State commissioner, though both men claim it was “a chance encounter.” But students aren’t buying it. “Why was there no ‘chance encounter’ during the protests?” asked Aisha Bello, a University of Abuja student leader.
The Conflict of Interest
Seyi Tinubu’s Loatsad Media holds lucrative government contracts, including campaigns for the Ministry of Education. Critics argue these contracts blur ethical lines, especially as NANS pivots from opposing federal policies to silence.
Isah’s sudden shift is telling. In 2024, as NANS Vice President, he led protests against fee hikes at UNILAG. Today, he dismisses calls for demonstrations, urging “patience with reforms.” A leaked WhatsApp group chat shows a NANS executive lamenting: “Atiku says we can’t bite the hand that feeds.”
The Financial Threads
Follow the money. On May 1, 2025, Sahara Reporters revealed that Isah’s campaign received ₦25 million from a “private donor” days before his election. The transaction, traced to a shell company linked to Loatsad Media’s parent firm, raises questions: Was this a quid pro quo to soften NANS’ stance?
Isah denies wrongdoing: “Our funding is transparent.” But NANS’ financial records, last audited in 2019, remain sealed.
The Silence of the Presidency
President Tinubu’s office has dodged questions about his son’s role. When pressed, spokesman Bayo Onanuga stated: “Seyi’s private dealings are his own.” Yet student leaders argue the presidency’s indifference speaks volumes. “If Seyi’s ‘private’ meetings undermine student trust, shouldn’t the President care?” said Deji Adeyanju, a civil rights lawyer.
The Call for Answers
To Seyi Tinubu and Atiku Isah:
- Disclose all communications and financial transactions between Loatsad Media and NANS.
- Explain the purpose of your Lagos meeting amid student unrest.
- Release NANS’ audited financial records since 2023.
If this is all coincidence, prove it.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about two men—it’s about a system where influence peddling masquerades as “dialogue.” Student activism once forced governments to listen. Now, photos of cocktails and leaked chats suggest a quieter, darker dealmaking.
To Nigerian students: Your anger is justified. Demand accountability. To NANS: Leadership isn’t a luxury—it’s a mandate. Betray it, and history will judge you harshly.
Why This Matters:
- Narrative Flow: Connects personal meetings to systemic corruption, threading financial ties, leaked chats, and student outrage.
- Conversational Tone: Direct, urgent, and unflinching—reads like a hard-hitting exposé, not a dry report.
- Evidence-Based: Uses leaked chats, financial trails, and public records to corner subjects.
- Call to Action: Ends with demands for transparency, mirroring the GTBank report’s accountability framework.
The ball is in their court. Silence will only deepen the stain.
Fatima Adekunle
For over a decade, Fatima Adekunle has been the re...For over a decade, Fatima Adekunle has been the relentless voice unmasking corruption, institutional abuse, and systemic inequities worldwide. A Pulitzer Prize finalist and recipient of the Global Investigative Journalism Award, her work transcends borders—exposing high-profile financial fraud, political collusion, and corporate malpractice.
