Nation-building is not solely the responsibility of visionary leaders. It is determined by the critical mass of citizens who demand accountability from their leaders. When power is left unchecked, it often leads to decisions that bring about negativity to the people.

In a democratic setting, whether at the national level or within a student government, certain mechanisms with which leadership accountability can be demanded exist. The Nigerian Constitution, for instance, grants citizens the right to recall elected representatives who default on  their obligations. Similarly, at the University of Ibadan, certain institutional channels through which the students can hold the power that either shapes or messes up their academic lives and fate have been put into place. The most powerful of these channels is the Students’ Union Congress, otherwise known as the apex decision-making organ of the Union.

On September 13, the University of Ibadan Students’ Representative Council (12th Assembly), during its third ordinary sitting, ratified a  proposed Congress earlier addressed to the House for approval by the Covenant Odedele-led Students’ Union Executive Committee. The central focus of the ratified Congress, according to the Students’ Union leadership,  is  to X-ray the state of the Union and its plans.

It is however very important to re-establish the core essence of Students’ Union Congress to shield its sanctity from being truncated once again. The essence for which it is conceived, if not understood or conscious of, risks reducing the apex gathering to a symbolic one stripped of its power and potential for real change. It is on the very basis that the re-education of Congress must be done.

The Congress

The University of Ibadan Students’ Union Congress is the highest decision-making organ in the student government. It is the arena where students gather to voice their grievances and determine the fate of the Union.

The University of Ibadan Students’ Union Constitution clearly outlines the powers of this apex body. According to Article XIV, the Congress has the authority to overturn decisions made by both the Students’ Union Executive Committee and SRC. Its resolutions are binding and final. It also holds the power to, with the two-third of the student participants at the meeting, suspend or dismiss any Executive member found guilty of misconduct.

This portrays the Congress not just as a forum for dialogue, but as a force for decisive action. It is on this very basis that  the Saturday  Congress must not be taken lightly but treated as the last resort through which the student community can reclaim its voice. That stated, it is equally pertinent for the student community to put into consideration the failure of the past General Meetings and ensure history does not repeat itself.

Failures of  the Past Congresses

Over the time, the essence of the apex gathering has often been truncated. Since the Ojo Aderemi-chaired Students’ Union Congress in 2017, successive general meetings have failed to challenge the institutional weapon being fashioned against the student community.

Under the Samson Tobiloba-led administration, for example, a crucial part of the Congress’ resolutions aimed at addressing the regime of fee hikes was omitted from the follow-up actions. The trend continued under Aweda’s leadership, where a ratified Congress was cancelled, and worse still, the resolution of the  August 17, 2024 Congress calling for suspension of fee portal was  falsified. The current Students’ Union Executive Committee administration, led by Covenant Odedele, has followed a similar path. This unsolicited  precedent is  a big concern that demands urgent attention as it undermines the very foundational principles of student democracy.

What Should Be the Central Focus of the Saturday Congress 

This Saturday Congress offers a rare and critical opportunity to reverse the tide. However, for this to be realized, students must take control of the process starting with turning up at the gathering. The Constitution only requires 500 students for a Congress to make binding decisions. That number is all it takes to determine the fate of the Union.

It cannot be overstated that one of the critical concerns that the student community must not overlook at gathering is the recent and the yet-to-be disproven allegations against some members of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union Executive Committee. Despite damning reports from the Audit and Disciplinary Committee of the SRC, these executives continue to hold office, contrary to the Union Constitution.

According to Article VIII of the Constitution, once a prima facie case of misconduct is established by an SRC committee, the member in question should be suspended for 21 days for further investigation into his case. The failure of Shoge Quadri-led 12th Assembly to act on this is a betrayal of its own mandate as a check on the Committee. It is on this very note that the September 20 Congress must demand the immediate suspension of these concerned student leaders until they are either cleared or found culpable the financial charges.

Besides calling for their sanctions, other pressing concerns affecting the student body must also be debated on the floor of the Congress. The Congress must examine the state of public accommodation at the University of Ibadan

The critical debate must focus on poor toilet systems, bedbug infestations, the recent conversion of kitchenettes into rooms, unchecked exploitation of student residents by some hostel portals, among others . The student community must demand an end to this student indignity. We must also push for the construction of more affordable public hostels where students can afford. The University has no justification for leasing land for private hostels when public accommodation is in crisis. Also of serious concern is the discriminatory accommodation levy, which sees some students paying ₦45,000 while others, believed to be admitted later, are charged ₦60,000 for access to the same facilities. This unfair disparity in accommodation fees is both unjustifiable and exclusionary, and must be dealt with at the Congress.

The academic struggles of the students should also be the central focus of the Congress. These challenges have persisted for too long, often ignored by student leaders, and now demand the collective response of the entire student body. Issues such as dilapidated lecture halls, delayed issuance of transcripts, clashing lecture schedules, and poor learning environments are not only mere inconveniences but deep-rooted, systemic barrier to academic success. Curbing them is not optional but a must.

It is equally important that the Saturday Congress must shield the future of public education from inaccessibility. Education is a right but the rising cost of tuition fees has been pushing that right out of reach for many. The Congress must demand a total reversal of the fee  hikes. Until the fees fall like the wall of Jericho, many admissions will be deferred and academic endeavors will be given up.

Student Victimization

The growing trend of student victimization at University should also be a central focus of the Congress. In May 2024, during the inauguration of the Students’ Union leadership, three students participated in a peaceful, constitutional protest against the  alarming high cost of public education. Since then, two have been suspended for four semesters, while the other faces an ongoing disciplinary case.

Their case is not unknown to the student community. These students challenged the status quo by raising concerns regarding the systemization of fee Increment. Their suspension by the university has attracted immense flak from various human rights organizations, Including the Amnesty International, who described it as unconstitutional and undemocratic.

It is only fair  the student community solidarises with these  students by, with the power  that the Congress weighs, calling for an end to their victimization to foster an  academic environment where students can freely express dissenting views without entertaining any fear of victimization

The Way Forward 

The Saturday Congress must represent more than just another general meeting. It should serve as a turning point and a chance for students to take back their Union, reclaim their dignity, and demand the accountability that has long been denied them. If the past and present Union leaders have failed to fight in interest of the student community, then it is time for the students to fight for themselves.

Students must turn out in large numbers at the Kunle Adepeju Memorial Building. Let the General Meeting Scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2025, be a moment students decide they will no longer be spectators in their own affairs. The future of the Union and by extension, the quality of student life at the University of Ibadan would be determined by the Saturday Congress. As we approach the Congress, the question must be asked once again; will UI students hold the power that has messed up their student dignity to account?