By: Patrick Ezihe
The Student Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Ibadan, traces its roots to the early post-independence era, when students first realized that without structured representation, they would remain vulnerable to the unfavorable policies of university authorities. From a handful of ambitious students committed to advocating for their peers, the SRC has since evolved into a full-fledged legislative body within the Students’ Union. It is constitutionally charged with safeguarding the interests of over 33,000 students.
According to the Students’ Union constitution, the Council exists to formulate policies that promote student welfare, monitor the activities of the Students’ Union Executive Council, and serve as a voice. At both the faculty and hall levels, elected representatives are mandated to amplify students’ concerns on critical issues.
Given these responsibilities, the importance of the Council cannot be overstated. Who else, if not the SRC, is positioned to shield students from oppressive administrative actions? In the metaphorical ship of student unionism, the SRC is expected to be the captain. Sincere, reliable, and selfless. Sadly, there exists a disheartening gap between the Council’s constitutional mandate and the way it has continued to execute its duties.
A critical look at the performance of the 11th Assembly highlights this disconnect. When Aweda Bolaji falsified the resolution of the August 17 Congress, the highest decision-making body in the Students’ Union, an ideal SRC would have initiated impeachment proceedings against him for such an action. Instead, the 11th Assembly failed to act decisively to the letters. Aweda’s disregard for the Congress was inadequately sanctioned by the Busoye Matthias-led SRC.
The current 12th Assembly has not fared much better. The Council has failed to check the excesses of the Students’ Union President, Covenant Odedele, who unilaterally declared a “One-Day President Challenge”, an unconstitutional move. At the time of writing, the SRC is yet to take any disciplinary action against the initiative. In a democratic setting, unchecked power inevitably leads to misgovernance. The SRC’s silence, currently a sign of their level of understanding, is troubling.
More worrisome is the Council’s tendency to restrict its role to routine duties such as budget approvals and sanctioning policy defaulters, while neglecting pressing welfare issues. Challenges such as the chaotic accommodation process, overlapping lecture timetables, and the victimization of students by faculty or hall authorities have largely been ignored. These unresolved issues directly impact students’ academic experiences and overall well-being.
Despite Shoge Quadri’s initial promise of a more inclusive Students’ Union, the 12th Assembly under his leadership has fallen short. A particularly glaring instance was the Council’s refusal to reinstate Nice Linus, despite a High Court exparte application order to do so. Quadri justified the inaction by citing a lack of approval from university authorities, raising serious questions about the Council’s autonomy and allegiance. Why should a supposedly independent student body require administrative consent to execute its constitutional responsibilities?
Furthermore, the Council’s approval of a basic dues increase points at its insensitivity to the economic realities students face. When the dues were pegged at ₦3,000, many students already struggled to pay. Yet, not only did the Council approve the hike, it also turned a blind eye to the extortion of fresh students in Independence and Nnamdi Azikiwe Halls, where an additional ₦500 was unlawfully collected. Although the Speaker assured students during an interview with IndyPress that the issue would be addressed, justice was eventually elusive. This situation, as the legendary Fela Kuti would say, reflects a “demonstration of craze” rather than democracy.
Even basic operational discipline within the Council is questionable. On May 10, the Council’s first ordinary sitting failed to commence at the scheduled time of 10:00 a.m., instead starting at 10:56 a.m. Our honorables have no regard for punctuality, because students’ don’t hold them by their loins.
To say the SRC’s recent performance is troubling would be an understatement. It is a matter of deep concern. The Council must reevaluate its priorities and focus its energy on student interests.
The founding vision of the SRC, as enshrined in the Students’ Union constitution, centers on representation, accountability, and the unwavering defense of student rights. Section 4, Subsection (ii) of the SRC Constitution mandates that members “uphold the principle of transparency and protect the welfare of all students without fear or favor.” Protect, not exploit. Represent, not rubber-stamp. Admonish, not applaud reckless financial decisions. It is disheartening to see how far the SRC has veered from this noble path. Rather than being earnest advocates for student interests, our representatives often appear to be pawns of the authorities.
But it is not too late for redemption. The students are not asking for too much. They simply want adequate representation. The Council must begin to address the pressing challenges students face; accommodation crises, fee burdens, victimization, academic concerns, among others. As Majek Fashek once sang in his classic, So Long, “Arise from your sleep, Africa.” It is time for the Students’ Representative Council, University of Ibadan, to arise from its slumber and truly serve the students. What we have at the moment is not a model to emulate.
