The Students’ Union Government (SUG) has long been a crucial voice for students, advocating for their rights and interests on campuses nationwide.
Last year, protest rocked in schools like Obafemi Awolowo University, Federal University Lokoja in Kogi State, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta , FUNAAB, University of Calabar, UNICAL, University of Jos, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), among many other schools in the country, over sudden hike in school fees.
These protests, initiated mostly by the Student leaders in the school, yielded positive results as almost all the schools reverted and negotiated a new price. This is to show the essence and importance of a student union body on campus.
On October 9, in Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY, Abeokuta, students, led by the SUG, rallied against a sudden surge in acceptance fees for newly admitted students.
The protest yielded positive results as the acceptance fee was returned to status quo, following a directive from the state’s ministry of education to halt the process.
However, the current situation in Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) raises concerns. A vacant SUG seat for over three months has left students without proper representation amidst crucial decisions by the management. Policies, including fee increments, have been introduced without consideration for concerned students’ input, highlighting the absence of a collective student voice.
As it stands, the immediate past president of the union, Hezekiah Babatunde is still referred to as the SUG president due to the delay in the Students’ Union election.
Attending to pressing issues on campus by the “president” might not represent the interest of the students as it should, especially for the fact that he is currently out of campus.
The recent episode of accepting the hike in fees, including clearance registration fees, and subsequent school fee hikes demonstrate a lack of dialogue with concerned students. Even those on their Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) face challenges, such as paying school fees before obtaining their logbooks, but the lack of a new administration, that understands what students are going through, left them helpless.
The delay in approving the SUG election timetable, by the management, as gathered, leaves students in a vulnerable position, unable to voice their concerns effectively. The potential for one-sided decision-making by the management, allegedly prioritizing their interests over students, adds to the unease.
Without a union body that also goes through what students are going through, and fights against it, students will only be as helpless as a character trapped within the pages of a tragedy, doomed to endure the anguish of their fate without reprieve or redemption.
Press Club MAPOLY rightly opposes decisions made without proper checks, emphasizing students’ freedom of association. The accurate disconnection between students and the administration risks stifling meaningful dialogue and hinders the development of inclusive policies.
The narrative will persist until a change occurs. While other student leadership bodies, alongside Press Club MAPOLY, strive to bridge the gap, a representative student union remains essential for a comprehensive solution.
The need for an active and representative SUG cannot be overstated, as it contributes diverse perspectives and ideas that benefit the entire student community.
MAPOLY’s management must prioritize student representation, fostering a collaborative environment for the betterment of all stakeholders.