NUGS is a statutorily mandated, government-sanctioned student body established by an Act of Parliament under the Ministry of Education. As the legally mandated representative institution for all Ghanaian students, NUGS exercises its functions in accordance with the Constitution of the Union, the Act of Parliament establishing it, and the Laws of Ghana.

Established in 1962, NUGS serves as the central coordinating and representative body for Ghanaian students across basic, secondary, and tertiary institutions, both domestically and internationally. The Union performs an essential public function by advancing student welfare, contributing to national education policy development, and supporting the implementation of government programmes aimed at enhancing educational access, quality, and equity.

As a democratic, non-partisan, and national institution, NUGS is committed to safeguarding the rights and interests of students, promoting academic excellence, and fostering civic responsibility, leadership development, and national cohesion. In the discharge of its mandate, the Union collaborates with the Ministry of Education, relevant government agencies, statutory bodies, development partners, and international student organizations to advance the educational and developmental priorities of the Republic of Ghana.

NUGS remains an integral public institution dedicated to strengthening student participation in national development and ensuring that the collective voice of Ghanaian students is represented at all levels of governance and policymaking.