By IndyPress Social Justice Desk 

The total amount required to conduct the 2026 University of Ibadan Students’ Union election remains unknown, despite the election being only a few hours away.

Despite efforts by IndyPress to obtain information on the matter, both the constituted Electoral Commission and the Students’ Representative Council, are yet to provide a substantive response.

The situation as at press time raises concerns about whether the Electoral Commission has the resources required to conduct the election, the source of the resources it has been using, and the excuse or rationale behind the Students’ Representative Council silence on such a matter.

Where silence as at the time of this publication has enveloped accountability, IndyPress reported in 2024 that the Students’ Representative Council (UI’SRC) approved a total sum of N2,427,078 for the conduct of the 2024 University of Ibadan Students’ Union election.

The budget, which was approved at the third emergency sitting of the Students’ Representative Council in that session, covered the operational expenses of the Electoral Commission’s various subcommittees.

The then Speaker of the Students’ Representative Council, Omotunde Olamide, confirmed that the funds were approved to meet the needs of the subcommittees, including the Security, Screening, Publicity, Welfare, Logistics and Budget committees.

Of the approved amount, N19,500 was allocated to the Security Committee to cover expenses such as airtime for committee members, transportation and the engagement of Man ‘O’ War members, according to the budget document.

Similarly, the Screening Committee was allocated N7,000 to cover the purchase of pencils, erasers and blades, as well as airtime allowances for the committee chairman and members.

The Publicity Committee received N40,800 to cover data subscriptions and the production of electronic flyers to keep the student community informed about activities and announcements from the Electoral Commission.

Meanwhile, the Welfare Committee was allocated N207,300 to cover general and specific welfare provisions during the screening exercise, press night, speech night and the two election days for the Executive Council and Students’ Representative Council.

The largest allocation, N2,034,075, went to the Logistics Committee to cover the Electoral Commission’s operational needs, including a sound system, identification tags, decorations, diesel and an election voting platform, among other expenses.

The budget for the Students’ Union election, however, increased in 2025.

On January 25, 2025, the 11th Assembly of the SRC approved N3,353,125 for the 2025 election at a virtual third emergency sitting. The reviewed budget was presented by the Finance Committee chairman, Hon. Wareez Olosho. Allocations included security (N20,000), welfare (N586,400), publicity (N159,075), screening (N31,950), logistics (N2,555,800) and the Budget subcommittee (N4,900). That total is about 38 per cent higher than the 2024 figure.

In a special spotlight, an IndyPress review of the approved budget for the 2025 UI’SU election revealed that the Students’ Union Electoral Commission allocated N586,000 to food, water and transportation expenses across different election-related activities.

As of press time, IndyPress has been unable to confirm whether the SRC, led by Speaker Oludele John, has ratified a budget for the 2026 election as messages sent to the Speaker is yet to be responded to.