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

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

The letter, signed by the Coordinator, NANS Southwest Zone D, Adeyemo Josiah, said the election had provided an opportunity for a new chapter in the state.

“We believe this presents an opportunity for a new chapter,” the group said.

NANS noted that Governor Ademola Adeleke had won re-election and that Tinubu had congratulated him on his victory.

“The election is over. Political differences should now give way to governance and development,” it added.

The group 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 indicate that over ₦200 billion in statutory allocations had accumulated as withheld funds by the middle of 2026, with further monthly accruals expected thereafter.”

It said the issue was not merely a political or administrative dispute, noting that local governments were the closest tier of government to students’ campuses and 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 urged Tinubu to direct relevant federal institutions to resolve any outstanding legal or administrative impediments and ensure that the funds reached the constitutionally recognised local governments through a lawful, transparent and accountable process.

The group also called on the local governments to ensure that the funds, when released, translated into visible development, particularly in communities hosting tertiary institutions.

The students said the release of the allocations should not be viewed 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,” it added.

NANS Southwest said the release of the funds would instead represent “a victory for constitutional governance, local government development and the people of Osun State.”