By: Sonaike Peter
Representation is essential for managing the demands and welfare of individuals in any society. In Nigeria, for example, citizens are represented by authorities ranging from local councilors to the President of the federation. Given the impracticality of direct participation by the large population, a representative system is required for the administration of public affairs. In a similar mode, the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) exists to carry out this model of representative governance for the student body. Section 12 of the Students’ Union Constitution states that “there shall be a Students’ Representative Council, hereinafter referred to as the Parliament, which shall be the policy-making organ of the Union.”
As of date, the Students’ Representative Council has struggled to fulfill its constitutional purpose. Over time, it has been characterized with a round of cultures; punishing who it considers a defaulter among the Union officers, attending plenary in the best thought-of attires, ‘cutting budgets’, receiving Students’ Union Executive reports, and of course entertaining refreshments.
Recall the moment of memories. Before receiving the mandate to represent, several council members had campaigned with slogans such as “I am Lagbaja; vote for me in the upcoming election.” “A vote for Lagbaja is a vote for competence and inclusivity.” These were just maxims used by SRC members to appeal for the students’ vote. Since taking office, many of these representatives have consciously failed to address students concerns, such as the fee increment, amongst others dire issues.
On June 22, 2024, the House resolved to hold a general meeting of the Students’ Union on June 29, 2024. In a quick turn, the Students’ Union President, Bolaji Aweda unconditionally and unilaterally postponed the Congress. In a show of response at its second ordinary sitting, the SRC meted its own term of justice by apportioning sanctions to the Union President, sparing the Speaker, Busoye Matthias, who the Disciplinary Committee had found a culprit.
It is disheartening that the SRC, supposedly referred to as the hallowed chamber, has failed to effectively use its power to hold the Students’ Union officials accountable. By that, it means that the chamber has failed to hold its own self by the ideal standard of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union. It is always remembered that the Speaker of the Council, Busoye Matthais had promised in his manifesto to “prioritize legislation and representation while upholding majority rule and protecting minority voices”. Seeming to have fallen short of this commitment, the postponement of June Congress and the lack of action to timely hold the Students’ Union President accountable reflects poorly on the Speaker’s leadership and the SRC sheer demonstration of representation to students welfare. The ever traceable history of the Students’ Union will not forget the 11th Assembly.
Also, the Speaker had promised “commitment to revitalizing Students’ Union advocacy” that appears now unfulfilling, particularly during a time when urgent issues, such as fees hike, require attention. Additionally, the Council’s failure to convene Congress has remained quite grave. According to the UI Students’ Union constitution, holding a Congress requires a quorum of five hundred (500) students. It has only remained unclear why over eighty (80) honorable members, each representing hundred (100) students, found it difficult to mobilize the student populace for a congress it resolved for. While the SRC has the authority to address crucial concerns including fees increase, the hallowed power has been underutilized, leaving students to take matters beyond tacit representation.
Worst of all, during a plenary session on Saturday, July 13, 2024, an honorable member proposed a peaceful protest to address the fee increment. The motion, after being seconded, received only twenty-one (21) votes in support from the eighty-one (81) honorable members present. It is pathetic that with the fee payment deadline approaching (now neutralized by students who have taken matters constructively up), the SRC out of fear voted against using a peaceful protest as a tool to address a pertinent issue.
When the Council asked the Students’ Union President about plans regarding the fee increase, the President admitted uncertainty, and sought instead suggestions from the Council. With both the Students’ Union Executive Council and the SRC unwilling to take action, before the student-based protest of July 16 and 17, the Union’s resilience on fee hike raises worrying questions about the leadership’s effectiveness and dedication to students’ representation. Aweda Bolaji-led leadership had evidently proved non-resilient with its perpetual silence as an administration between May 13, 2024 when it was sworn in and July 16, before the historic protest sprang up.
The SRC’s lengthy plenary sessions, which last so long into hours, should provide effective representation to students. Recall that to influence the fee hike concern, the 11th Assembly only resolved, in collaboration with the Students’ Union officials and some immediate past Executive members of the Union, to schedule a meeting with the school administration in a bid to negotiate for a cancellation of the fee payment deadline. While this gathering may appear as a step at-least, it is clear that the Union by its own meaning, should have leaped quite ahead in both its demand and victory. Time was always a factor to contend with.
The SRC must recognize that without students, there would be no need for a Students’ Representative Council. Their primary responsibility is to represent the students, and it is crucial that they fulfill this duty. The issue of fee increment should be a major concern for the SRC. Approval of budgets for events such as Freshers’ Week only benefits students who remain enrolled. As the policy making body, the SRC should reconstitute the Congress which was nullified by its own lack of resilience. Given the failure of earlier discussions with school administration to resolve the fee issue, a nonviolent protest had been long required. The SRC must support and protect students’ right to education, as provided by Section 18 of Nigeria’s Federal Republic Constitution, without resorting to cowardice. Education is a basic right, and the SRC must ensure that students are not denied.
The SRC must acknowledge that, in addition to approving budgets, dressing appropriately for meetings, and getting food gestures after sittings, there are other critical areas of students’ welfare that require attention. If students drop out because of the SRC underrepresentation, history will be harsh on all the students’ representatives.
Students have elected SRC members to represent their aggregate interest, and now, it is time to hold them accountable. The SRC must face this issue head-on in the interests of students, who it is bound to serve. That fee must fall is not negotiable; it is a must. The Students’ Representative Council has underrepresented students on critical matters, students deserve far better.
