By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The students’ wing of the Renewed Hope Project 2027 has set a target of mobilising more than 100,000 votes from tertiary institutions across Lagos State for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and the election of the project’s governorship candidate, Dr Kadir Obafemi Hamzat.
The group was inaugurated on Saturday, 19 September, 2026, in Lagos to mobilise students across tertiary institutions in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the inauguration and press conference, the Lagos State Students’ Coordinator, Sanni Olamide, said the initiative would focus on education, youth participation, opportunities and national development.
Olamide disclosed that the group had coordinators in 10 major tertiary institutions across the state, as well as campus coordinators at Caleb University and the National Open University of Nigeria.
He said the group planned to mobilise at least 100,000 students and young voters through campus-to-campus engagement, while working with student leaders and key student groups.
“We are looking at mobilising at least 100,000 voters from students and young people. The strategy will involve focused campus-to-campus mobilisation and engagement with student leaders and key student groups,” Olamide said.
He added that campus coordinators and volunteers would drive the outreach and maintain regular contact with students.
According to him, the students’ wing would also provide a platform for students to access information, ask questions and engage with policymakers and political stakeholders.
He said the group would organise Lagos Students Policy and Development Symposia and campus town-hall meetings focusing on education, employment, entrepreneurship and technology.
Olamide also announced plans for a proposed one-million-man Lagos students and youth march as part of the project’s campaign activities in support of Tinubu’s re-election bid and the continuation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The event was held under the theme, “Building the Nigeria We Desire: Youths and Students as Catalysts for National Development.”
Speaking at the event, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Somolu Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ali Balogun, urged young Nigerians to participate actively in nation-building.
Balogun said the country’s youth population possessed significant potential, but stressed that talent and potential needed to be developed and applied to solving societal problems.
“Whenever we talk about the future of Nigeria, we inevitably talk about young people. But we want us to consider the statement that youths are the leaders of tomorrow. Tomorrow is important, but today also belongs to the youths,” he said.
He urged students to take their education seriously, noting that learning should go beyond obtaining certificates.
According to him, students should develop the ability to think critically, conduct research, solve problems and apply their knowledge to societal challenges.
“Whatever discipline you are studying, do not only ask, ‘What job will this certificate give me?’ Also ask, ‘What problem can my knowledge help to solve?’ The question changes everything, from consumers to creators,” Balogun said.
He further encouraged young Nigerians to acquire skills in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital finance and automation, while urging them to move beyond being mere consumers of technology.
Balogun identified transportation, education, healthcare, housing, agriculture, waste management and financial inclusion as areas where young Nigerians could apply their knowledge and skills to develop solutions.
