The 2026/2027 Student Union electoral process has officially commenced and this is significantly evident in the lifting of the ban on electioneering process effective from Friday, 18th September, 2026. The university community is gearing up for another election season with campaign posters all around campus and agenda slogans in the air. The Students’ Union executives are about to be democratically replaced and it is just natural that we, the electorate, retrospectively appraise the tenure as the curtain falls on the tenure of the Diligent Union following the just concluded Students’ Union Week.
UIMSA Press spoke with a number of UI students, asking them to rate the Students’ Union based on how present they were in the lives of students as well as other criteria.
How would you rate this current UI’SU in terms of how present you feel they were on campus throughout the session?
Henry, 500L: On a scale of 1 to 10, I would say a 6.5. Although they had/have their lapses, and inconsistencies, I still think they were available to a large extent to the needs and welfare of the student community. Did I expect more? Definitely. However, would I tag it bad or not good? Not exactly. Their presence was felt but not the way I had envisioned it to be.
Timileyin, 100L: On a scale of 1-10, I will rate them 6. Because their presence wasn’t really felt, maybe because I wasn’t active in activities this semester.
Halimah, 400L: I think they did a good job so far honestly. When there’s any issue faced by the students, they address it and make sure something is done to it, not in all cases though.
Hanat, 100L: I would rate them as partially present. Real campus life is lived outside the lecture halls and in the halls of residence, apart from the various events organised by the UI’SU and timely updates, I haven’t really felt their impact on issues like standing in solidarity with the students on some of their demands from UI management and actively pushing for them.
Anonymous, 100L: They were satisfactory, but nothing particularly stood out to me.
Itunuoluwa, 200L: I would rate the UI’SU a 6/10. Why? I believe they did the minimum of what we expected. I don’t know the manifesto of each member of the cabinet, but they all carried out their expected duties. In addition, I like that they had a clear focus on mental health, especially because of the student who committed suicide. However, my problem is the issues that have been delayed. We should ask why they have been delayed.
Was the UI’SU week the first time you felt that the student community had a functional SU?
Henry, 500L: Personally, I feel it has always been that way, year after year. At the start of every session, you might feel little or no impact whatsoever, but somewhere along in second semester, especially during the SU week, it suddenly feels like the SU is functional; like they are working. It is all some petty facade in my opinion. I don’t think it is specific alone to the SU for this academic session. It is something I see that persists every academic year. First semester, you might never feel them, but come second semester especially around the period set aside for the SU week, they pose up and active. All fake!
Timileyin, 100L: The publicity was low, and this was my first experience though.
Halimah, 400L: Not really, the Covenant Odedele led administration was really impactful and forever memorable. So no. This current administration just did better and that’s how it should be.
Hanat, 100L: No. The renovation of the KDL was the first time I felt the student community had a functional SU.
Anonymous, 100L: The events seemed nice, but I only briefly walked through the trade fair because I happened to spot it at SUB. The overall publicity could have been much better.
Itunuoluwa, 200L: No, I never felt like that. I have seen their impact, especially in the aspect of student welfare.
What student-centric problems have you/your friend/colleague escalated to the SU and it was left unattended to, or there was delayed/unsatisfactory response?
Henry, 500L: For this, I’d say a common problem, despite the myriad of diverse issues from student to student, would be the lack of power on campus. In my class, we have two (2) excos of the union, and I can say that, there have been periods when the lack of supply of power was consistent. My colleagues and I would rant, vent and complain to them. Of course, they would offer listening ears, but that is it. The matter is deadened right there because no improvement is felt afterwards. So, for me, a pressing student-centred problem left unattended or with an evident delayed response? Lack of power supply on campus.
Timileyin, 100L: None.
Halimah, 400L: I have honestly not had any problems that have escalated to the SU, apart from the general request of students regarding the use of stove which I think is beyond their control.
Hanat, 100L: None. The student-centric problems I faced were general issues like the push for the approval of gas cookers in the halls of residence, unavailability of water when there is a power outage and the SU were aware of these issues.
Anonymous, 100L: I am not aware of any specific instances regarding this.
Itunuoluwa, 200L: Heavy smoking around Awo Stadium. I told the SU President about it, and he hasn’t done anything about it.
Do you know what a congress is? if yes, did you attend any, if yes/no, why?
Henry, 500L: Yes, I do. I have only attended twice. But I have not attended this session. The reason being that it falls on days or within hours when I am engaged in something important. But, honestly, I view the concept of a congress as a waste of time. You get there and rant your lungs out. The results? Nothing or a cascade of memos justifying the delay of proffering solutions to complaints presented.
Timileyin, 100L: I don’t know what a congress is.
Halimah, 400L: Yes, I know what a congress is. It’s a gathering where all students gather together with the Students’ Union executives to address issues going on in the school community and an avenue to seek the opinions of students too and hear from student-leaders. I have not attended one because I have no interest in attending.
Hanat, 100L: Yes. I didn’t attend any because the timings weren’t comfortable for me or I had other engagements and also maybe because I didn’t know or there was low publicity around it.
Anonymous, 100L: Yes, I planned to attend the one held during the NASU strike, but I was advised against it due to poor conditions, such as overcrowding and lack of proper ventilation.
Itunuoluwa, 200L: I know what a congress is, but I have never attended one. I was at home that Saturday.
What were the developments on campus that you felt the SU pushed for?
Henry, 500L: I am actively rummaging to think of any, but nothing comes to mind. I think it has been a cycle of repetition; nothing extra or new.
Timileyin, 100L: The KDL chairs and the push for approval of gas in hostels, though it was only the fire extinguishers that we saw, for the rest, we were put on suspense.
Halimah, 400L: I would have said light, but with what’s currently going on now, I can’t say that again. Also, they did a good job by soliciting for the postponement of the payment of school fees, course registration and even add and delete process too. That’s so kind of them.
Hanat, 100L: Renovation of the KDL and installation of fire extinguishers in the halls of residence.
Anonymous, 100L: They successfully advocated for the suspension of classes during the NASU strike, which was a helpful and much-needed intervention during a tense period.
Itunuoluwa, 200L: Better mental healthcare.
If you attended some events in the SU week, do you think that the initial 36 million naira budget was justified by the planning?
Henry, 500L: I might not have an answer for this because I did not attend any of the SU week events.
Timileyin, 100L: I only attended the Mr and Miss UI event and I saw that it was worth it with the decoration and all.
Halimah, 400L: I did not attend any event in the SU week.
Hanat, 100L: I didn’t attend any event in the SU week.
Anonymous, 100L: Not at all; they significantly need to improve their publicity strategies.
Itunuoluwa, 200L: No.A number of their events were paid for, and they are still budgeting ₦36 million. Why?
Finally, as the tenure draws to its conclusion, this retrospective serves as a necessary moment of reflection and accountability.
Because just as George Santayana so aptly puts it, ”those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
Hawau Oladele
