The maiden unveiling, held at the Executive Conference Hall, Ikolaba, Ibadan, brought together present and former student leaders, Students’ Union Government (SUG) leaders, indigenous association leaders, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) representatives, Joint Campus Committee (JCC) leaders and other youth stakeholders.
The coalition said its emergence marked the beginning of a broader movement aimed at bringing present and past student leaders under one platform and extending its structure across the 36 states of the federation.
He argued that Nigeria’s enormous human and natural resources should translate into better living conditions for its citizens, stressing that the country requires a fundamental “reset” in its approach to governance and national development.
According to him, the coalition is determined to contribute to a political process capable of producing practical solutions to the country’s challenges rather than perpetuating what he described as “business as usual.”
Delivering the keynote address titled “Another Challenge for a Better Nigeria,” former NANS Senate President, Comrade Folusola Baba Okuwobi, said Nigeria needed leadership centred on people, productivity, security, education and accountable governance.
Okuwobi described the emergence of Engr. Seyi Makinde as the APM presidential candidate as another option in the national political conversation ahead of 2027, urging Nigerians to examine candidates based on their ideas, records, programmes and proposed solutions.
Makinde has presented his “Reset Nigeria” agenda as a national proposition focused on economic transformation, education, security and governance reforms.
Okuwobi said the aspiration for a new Nigeria should extend beyond political contests to the creation of a country where citizens can work and prosper, young people can build their future at home, businesses can grow, farmers can thrive and public institutions can effectively serve the people.
COPPSLA B.O.T Chairman, Com. Azeez Sarafudeen, popularly known as Pa Biafra, acknowledged that today marks a historic moment as we unveil COPPSLA, uniting present and past student leaders under one platform for responsible participation, good governance and youth development.
“We are committed to peaceful mobilisation for APM candidates, including Engr. Seyi Makinde and Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, while expanding this movement beyond the Oyo State”. He said.
Comrade Oladoja Mubaraq, popularly known as Megabyte, the Oyo State Chairman of COPPSLA, said the coalition was established to harness the experience and networks of present and former student leaders for responsible democratic participation.
Mubaraq said the group understood the challenges confronting young Nigerians, particularly in education, employment, youth development and leadership opportunities.
He said COPPSLA would promote civic responsibility, peaceful participation and informed decision-making while giving young people a stronger voice in political and national conversations.
The chairman disclosed that the coalition was targeting the mobilisation of over 20 million voters for APM, stressing that its activities would extend from grassroots communities to wider national engagement.
In his goodwill message, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Oyo State Governor, Hon. Adeniyi Adeyinka Kazeem Bibiire, commended the present and former student leaders for coming together under COPPSLA and participating in the 2027 political process.
Bibiire encouraged the young leaders to embrace responsible leadership and the Omoluabi values, while declaring support for their mobilisation around Makinde, Adekanmbi and other APM candidates.
He urged the coalition to ensure that its political engagement was driven by ideas, capacity and genuine concern for the welfare of Nigerians.
Comrade Ajenifuja Olalekan said COPPSLA was established with the objective of contributing to what he described as the “reset” of Nigeria.
He urged members to build a strong grassroots structure covering polling units, wards and local governments, stressing that sustained participation would be necessary to translate the coalition’s objectives into electoral impact.
Also speaking, the Director of Youth Campaign for the Makinde/Adekanmbi campaign, Hon. Kazeem Bolarinwa, described the youth population as a major force in determining the country’s political direction.
Bolarinwa said the campaign’s youth mobilisation machinery was ready to engage young people across communities, with consultations and mobilisation expected to move from unit to unit and ward to ward.
He called on young Nigerians to channel their numerical strength into constructive political participation and contribute ideas capable of shaping the future of Oyo State and Nigeria.
The unveiling was also attended by other student and youth leaders, including Dr. Olawoyin Olawale Rasheed, Elder Soliu Amuda who joined the speakers in emphasising unity, discipline, peaceful participation and greater youth involvement in the democratic process.
With the unveiling of COPPSLA, the organisers said they had commenced a structured effort to bring present and past student leaders together under one platform, with their immediate political focus centred on mobilising support for Makinde, Adekanmbi and other APM candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Other Stakeholders’ in attendance were; Alhaji Saheed Babalola, Elder Soliu Amuda, Comrade Aransi Wasiu, Oladoja Mubaraq, Adeleke Ademola Abayomi, Olugbade Bukunmi, Comrade Oyebamiji Sodiq, Oladotun Abdulrokeeb Olaniyi, Aluko Emmanuel, Odelabi Abiodun Emmanuel, Lasisi Ridwan, Abayomi Sunday Olaosebikan, Gazali Mariam Temitope and others.
