Post-Graduate Students Association of Nigeria
The Post-Graduate Students Association of Nigeria (PG-SAN) unites and represents postgraduate students across Nigeria, advancing their academic, research, welfare and professional interests.
Our aim
To unite and represent postgraduate students in Nigeria; advance their academic, research, welfare and professional interests; promote ethical and excellent research; and strengthen the contribution of postgraduate scholarship to evidence-informed policy, innovation and national and African development.
Our objectives
These objectives are proposed for adoption in the Association's constitution.
01 Representation and advocacy
To represent and advance the collective academic, research, welfare and professional interests of postgraduate students across Nigeria, while engaging constructively with universities, government institutions, relevant student bodies and other stakeholders.
02 Research data and infrastructure
To advocate for the regular collection, quality assurance, preservation, responsible sharing and protection of reliable public-interest data, and for transparent, timely and equitable access to data for legitimate academic and developmental research, consistent with applicable law, privacy, confidentiality and research ethics.
03 Research-to-policy engagement
To promote the translation of credible postgraduate research into practical solutions by connecting researchers with policymakers, public institutions, industry, civil society and development partners; and by disseminating research through policy briefs, public forums, research showcases and other accessible formats.
04 Ethical supervision and student protection
To promote respectful, fair and accountable postgraduate supervision, and advocate effective, confidential and impartial mechanisms for reporting and addressing abuse of academic authority, exploitation, intimidation, discrimination, retaliation and other forms of victimisation, with due process for all parties.
05 Funding and research support
To advocate increased, transparent and equitable support for postgraduate education and research, including scholarships, grants, stipends, research assistantships, laboratory and library resources, fieldwork support, conference participation and other opportunities that strengthen research quality and timely completion.
06 Research excellence and capacity development
To promote research integrity, originality, methodological rigour, responsible innovation and high standards of scholarship through workshops, seminars, conferences, mentoring, peer learning, research-writing support and interdisciplinary collaboration.
07 National development and retention of talent
To advocate policies and opportunities that recognise postgraduate students as contributors to Nigeria’s intellectual capital and development, strengthen the attractiveness and quality of postgraduate study within Nigeria, and help address the conditions that contribute to the loss of skilled researchers and talent abroad.
08 International and diaspora collaboration
To establish and strengthen mutually beneficial links among Nigerian postgraduate students, researchers and institutions at home and abroad, including the Nigerian academic and professional diaspora, to encourage knowledge exchange, joint research, mentorship, institutional partnerships and responsible knowledge transfer.
09 Data access advocacy for researchers
To engage ministries, departments, agencies and other data-holding institutions to improve researcher access procedures, including clear requirements, designated contact points, reasonable timelines and transparent decisions, while respecting lawful restrictions and safeguarding sensitive information.
10 Equity, welfare and inclusion
To promote equitable access to postgraduate opportunities without unlawful discrimination, and advocate appropriate student welfare, including safe learning environments, accommodation, health and wellbeing support, accessibility and fair treatment.
11 Partnership and institutional engagement
To collaborate with universities, postgraduate schools, research institutes, relevant professional and student associations, funding bodies, public institutions, private organisations and civil society, while maintaining the Association’s independent voice and representative mandate.
12 Non-partisan public-interest engagement
To remain non-partisan while engaging constructively with public policy and governance, promoting transparent, accountable and evidence-informed decisions that advance the public interest and improve the lives of citizens.
13 Continental and global contribution
To participate in regional and international postgraduate networks and research partnerships, contribute to African research capacity and development, and share good practices in postgraduate education, research governance and knowledge mobilisation.
14 Responsible governance of the Association
To operate transparently and democratically, encourage broad participation by postgraduate students across disciplines and institutions, and pursue the Association’s objectives through lawful, ethical, inclusive and accountable means.