Controversy has erupted in Nigeria’s student politics as Akinteye Babatunde, popularly known as “BABTEE,” allegedly a notorious Yahoo Yahoo kingpin, announced his intentions to contest for the presidency of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Africa’s largest student movement.
BABTEE’s declaration as announced on his official Facebook page on March 5th, 2026 has sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny, particularly over allegations of corruption and mismanagement tied to his name. In his declaration of intent, the NACV alleged that Akinteye Babatunde touted one of his major achievements while serving as Senate President of NANS as his frequent release from custody of alleged cyber criminals disguised as students arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, an obstruction of justice for which he is widely regarded within the cyber criminals and the main reason for promoting his candidature as he is always available using his government links while hiding under NANS platform to perpetrate fraud, defend fraudsters and secure their releases from anti graft agencies.
The candidate was recently accused of diverting CNG buses donated to NANS by the federal government, an allegation he has yet to publicly address or deny.
In a letter made public on March 2, 2026, the NANS Anti-Corruption Vanguard (NACV) appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning against federal government support of an alleged cybercriminal to lead the student body. The group published the letter in The Nation newspaper, citing concerns that BABTEE’s leadership could compromise both the integrity and the mission of NANS.
The letter alleged that BABTEE, a self acclaimed godson of Barr. Seyi Tinubu was “culpable in the mismanagement of NANS funds” and directly implicated in the “diversion and sale of 56 CNG buses donated by the federal government to ease transportation burdens on campuses across Nigeria.” The NACV urged the federal government to detach itself from sponsoring someone they described as a “renowned Yahoo Yahoo kingpin” to lead the organization as this portends a grave danger to the image of Nigeria as a nation before the international community with serious negative diplomatic appearance.
“The largest student movement in Africa should not be led by an individual whose hands are steeped in cybercrime and financial mismanagement", the NACV wrote. “We call on the government to ensure that the upcoming NANS elections reflect transparency, accountability, and integrity, rather than condoning the rise of a cybercriminal to the helm of student leadership.”
The controversy has raised wider questions about accountability in student politics and the influence of powerful individuals in Nigerian student unions. Analysts suggest that allegations such as diversion of government-donated buses could have serious implications for both education and public trust in youth leadership.
With 56 CNG buses reportedly missing or allegedly sold, the federal government’s student transport initiative, designed to reduce transportation burdens on campuses nationwide, has come under intense scrutiny. Critics argue that any further involvement by an individual facing such allegations could jeopardize the program’s objectives.
The NACV’s open letter to President Tinubu has since gone viral among students and social media users, many of whom have expressed alarm at the prospect of alleged cybercriminals holding influential positions in student governance.
“The students of Nigeria deserve leaders of integrity,” one social media commentator wrote. “Allowing someone with a history of financial mismanagement and cybercrime allegations to lead NANS is a betrayal of the trust of millions of students across the country.”
The NANS elections, slated for later this year, now face heightened scrutiny, with advocacy groups calling on both the government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of student affairs to ensure a free, fair, and transparent process.
Observers warn that the fallout from the BABTEE controversy could extend beyond student politics, raising broader concerns about governance, accountability, and youth leadership in Nigeria.
