UI: SU Election Held Amidst Management Influence

ERC Charges New Leadership to Defend Students’ Interests

The Students’ Union election held on December 13, 2025, at the University of Ibadan, which led to the emergence of a new Students’ Union leadership. Subsequently, the newly elected executive officers and members of the Students’ Legislative Council were duly sworn in and saddled the responsibility of representing and defending the collective interests of students across the university community.

By Ochi M.N., ERC UI Branch

As has been the case with previous Students’ Union elections, this exercise was conducted under the overwhelming presence of various apparatuses and machineries of the university administration. This persistent involvement continues to raise serious concerns about the independence of the electoral process and the extent to which it truly reflects the will and aspirations of rank-and-file students. The election was conducted by an electoral commission presided over by a management staff member of the university, something that further raises questions about the fairness, neutrality, and credibility of the entire process.

Beyond the issue of administrative interference, the election was also marred by several irregularities. There were reported cases of early and unsanctioned campaign activities, largely resulting from the delay in the official lifting of the campaign ban. This partly led to campaign activities spilling into Election Day itself—a clear violation of established electoral guidelines—without any individual or group being held accountable. Despite these challenges, the election was eventually concluded, with Adebayo Temidayo, a 300-level student of the Faculty of Arts, emerging as President of the Students’ Union.

He will be joined by Salawu Glory as Vice President; Shontan Joshua as General Secretary; Fidelia Eseile as Assistant General Secretary; Tifase Oluwatimilehin as House Secretary; Awofadeju Olasukanmi as Public Relations Officer; Odey John as Treasurer; and Siyanbade Adedamola as Sports Secretary, alongside newly elected representatives to the Students’ Legislative Council.

With this development, these individuals now occupy positions of authority in directing the affairs of the Students’ Union. It is therefore imperative that they fully appreciate the weight of responsibility placed upon their shoulders, particularly at this critical moment when students across the campus continue to grapple with long-standing and unresolved challenges. Persistent issues such as erratic power supply, water shortages, and the deteriorating condition of hostels and learning facilities demand urgent and sustained attention. The new leadership must not turn a blind eye to these realities.

This period that calls for purposeful engagement and deliberate action aimed at achieving tangible improvements in both the learning and living conditions of students within the university. Holding a Students’ Union office must not be seen as a mere résumé booster; it is, fundamentally, a call to service.

To this end, the new leadership must prioritize programmes and activities that actively encourage the participation and involvement of students in the day-to-day running of the Union. Congresses, which serve as a vital platform for dialogue, debate, and collective decision-making, have been largely neglected by successive union leaderships. The incoming leadership must make a conscious and radical departure from this trend by ensuring that congresses are held regularly to address issues affecting students’ welfare and academic life. Notably among these is the political victimization of three students activists who were rusticated for providing leadership to students’’ protest against fee hike on campus.  The new leadership must be ready to champion the campaign for their unconditional reinstatement.

It is also important for the new leadership to anticipate that initial congresses may not attract massive participation. This inevitable apathy is closely linked to the failure of previous leaadership to address pressing student concerns during their tenure. Consequently, the current leadership must work deliberately to rebuild trust, restore confidence, and rekindle students’ interest in Union activities through consistent action and accountability.

Furthermore, the Students’ Union should organize public symposia, seminars, and educational fora to discuss both local and international issues not only affecting students and both also Nigerians in general. Such initiatives would help raise the political and social consciousness of students and enhance their involvement in the Union’s activities and decision-making processes.

As the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), we reaffirm our readiness to identify with and support the new Students’ Union leadership in programmes and activities genuinely aimed at defending and protecting the rights and interests of students on campus.

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