Lagos students’ group targets 100,000 votes for Tinubu, Hazmat

The students’ wing of the Renewed Hope Project 2027 has said it is targeting 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, Obafemi Hazmat.

The group, inaugurated in Lagos on Friday, was unveiled 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 said 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, “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.

“The campus coordinators and volunteers will be assigned to drive outreach and maintain regular contact with students.”

He added that the students’ wing would provide a platform for students to access information, ask questions and engage with policymakers and political stakeholders.

According to him, the group would organise Lagos Students Policy and Development Symposia and campus town-hall meetings to discuss 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 to express support for Tinubu’s re-election bid and the continuation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking on the theme, “Building the Nigeria We Desire: Youths and Students as Catalysts for National Development,” the All Progressives Congress candidate for Somolu Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ali Balogun, urged young Nigerians to actively participate in nation-building.

He said, “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.

“The decisions young Nigerians make today, the skills they acquire, the values they embrace, the businesses they build, the knowledge they develop and the communities they serve will all influence the Nigeria that emerges tomorrow.”

Balogun said Nigeria’s large youth population possessed enormous potential but stressed that talent and potential must be developed and applied to solving societal problems.

He urged students to take their education seriously, noting that education should go beyond obtaining certificates.

He said, “Education should teach you how to think, how to question, how to research, how to solve problems and how to contribute meaningfully to society.

“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 also urged young Nigerians to develop skills in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital finance and automation, noting that they should not remain merely consumers of technology.

He identified transportation, education, healthcare, housing, agriculture, waste management and financial inclusion as areas where young Nigerians could apply their knowledge to develop solutions.