By: IndyPress News Desk 

The Students’ Union President, Covenant Odedele, addressed the Students’ Representative Council, University of Ibadan, on the state of the union.

The President’s address, was presented during the first ordinary sitting of the Rt. Honorable Shoge Quadri-led council, held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the SRC Chamber, Kunle Adepeju Memorial Students’ Union building.

On accommodation, Odedele stated that the union supervised the fumigation of the university halls of residence to address bed bugs infestation. He also claimed that the union made efforts to address the 2024/2025 accommodation process for efficiency in the university.

Also, Odedele stated that the union introduced an initiative in the intra-campus transportation system, by launching proof of concept testing for a donated electric tricycle.

The Students’ Union President did not however, in his report, address the extortion of the students by the campus transporters, despite transportation price list.

On electricity, the President claimed that the Union made efforts to ensure “long power supply” on campus.

Responding to issues related to NELFUND, Covenant Odedele said “ those who wrote letters for NELFUND refund have gotten it. Although not all of them”. He assured the affected students that their issues would be resolved.

On security, the Students’ Union President claimed that, to some extent, the Union has influenced adequate security within off-campus communities, visiting security units, including ‘Amotekun.’

The President further explained that during the break, the Students’ Union Executive Council, visited various units in the university to project the interests of the student community.

Responding to his report, Hon. Oladele Samuel condemned the Students’ Union President for not presenting a formal report, raising concern about the president’s disregard for the Council’s procedures.

Odedele Covenant  in his response, apologized, while assuring the Council that the formal report will be made available, later today.

When questioned about concerns regarding increment in tuition fees, the President noted that due to ‘discrepancies’ in fees, the union has not been able to table the concern before the university management.

The President further explained that he has directed presidents of all faculties to conduct a survey on the breakdown of the fees in their constituencies.

Odedele also enjoined students faced with financial challenges to visit the Students’ Affairs Division for support and recommendations.

Responding to the issue concerning students whose details were not uploaded on the ‘book of life’ as a result of not paying the last session’s tuition fees, the Students’ Union President explained that the efforts of Students’ Union Executive Council to address the issue were unsuccessful, attributing the blame to some of the students who he claimed did not do necessary things, such as registering for their courses after paying up their fees lately.

Hon. Kazeem Michael from the Great Independence Hall of Residence, suggested that the Students’ Union call for a congress to address the fee concerns.

Responding to Hon. Michael’s suggestion, the Students’ Union President, Covenant Odedele, promised to make the call for a congress.

Addressing concerns raised regarding deadlines for payment of fees, while the Students’ Union condemned the development, Odedele did not however spell a concrete solution.

Honorable Ogundele representing Alexander Brown Hall of Residence suggested that the union should call for the suspension of the deadlines for the tuition fees.

In response to Hon. Ogundele’s motion, Hon. Oladele Samuel representing Alexander Brown Hall argued that the suspension of the deadline was not a solution, emphasizing that the Student’ Union Executive Council should focus on addressing fee increment.

Hon. Shalom from Queen Elizabeth II Hall called for the shutdown of the students’ portal, describing it as a solution to the fee increment concerns.

Hon Segun Oladejo moved a motion that Congress be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, to allow students to voice out their concerns regarding fee increment.

The motion was seconded by Hon. Kazeem Michael, and finally ratified by the Council.

Some concerns, contrary to the President’s claim, including accommodation allocation efficiency, bedbugs infestation despite fumigation, intra-campus transportation extortions, were and are notably still in vogue.

Several local agencies of the Union of Campus Journalists, including IndyPress, have repeatedly reported these continuing concerns.