Tunde Akingbondere, a foremost writer, human rights activist, social justice crusader and erstwhile student leader has called for the inclusion of students’ union representatives in the respective governing councils of universities and other tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The renowned author and emeritus senate president of the Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko Students’ Union (AAUASU) made this call on Friday at a legislative summit entitled, “Good Laws, Great Nation: The Impact of Quality Legislation on Nation-Building”.
The summit, convened at the instance of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of the AAUASU and held at the Nelson Mandela Hall of the university campus, paraded a wide range of cerebral and resource speakers who dissected interesting topics.
On his part, Tunde spoke on the topic: “Legislative Responsibilities: Bridging the Gap Between Students and Governance”.
In his speech, he advocated the review of the existing legal frameworks which established many Nigerian universities in order to make allowance for the inclusion of students’ union representatives in the governing councils of their institutions.
According to him, “While student unionism has faced considerable challenges since independence, it is evident that the concept exists only in the minds of its supporters and not in our laws, where the realities of the Nigerian state are enshrined. While student union stakeholders are allowed to participate in convocation processions, they are stripped of the power to partake or vote in the Governing Council and Senate.
“Instead, they are often used for cheap political gains through protests, which are frequently met with brutal attacks by the Nigerian Police. Wood posited that students cannot effectively represent their interests without a place on university boards. Given that a university comprises various internal stakeholders—administrators, teaching and non-teaching staff, and students—each voice should be heard at the same level, with decision-making organs including all stakeholders in alignment with the ‘stakeholder society’ (De Boer & Goedegebuure, 2003, in Obiero, 2012, p. 8).”
To further strengthen his argument, Tunde brought forward examples of countries where the practice of inclusion of students’ representatives in the governing councils of universities has been deeply rooted and firmly entrenched. Such countries like Czech Republic, Kenya, South Africa, Burundi, among others made the list of his case studies.
In Nigeria, he referenced Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) as a shining example.
“For example, in the Czech Republic, at least one-third of Senate members and half of the plenum must be students. Kenya’s Universities Act of 2012 mandates student representation in university councils, senates, and faculty management committees, except when examinations are discussed.
“At the national level, the Kenya National University Students Union serves as the representative. In Nigeria, a model university that embodies this tradition is Obafemi Awolowo University, where the Great Ife Students’ Union participates in the Governing Council and Senate through its President and Senate President, respectively.
“Countries like Burundi, South Africa, and Ghana have also made strides by providing laws that create seats for student union leaders in the Governing Council and Senate,” Tunde continued.
In addition, the erstwhile student leader equally pushed for the widespread adoption of the parliamentary system of government in the administration of students’ unions of tertiary institutions across the country. This, he believed, would foster constructive dialogue among the arms of students’ union governments as well as strengthen accountability.
In his words, “I also want to take this opportunity to challenge our Senators in the Students’ Representatives Council at Adekunle Ajasin University to create laws and policies that will positively impact students. I strongly believe it is time to shift from the existing presidential arrangement in our union and explore a strictly socialist, parliamentary system of administration, in line with today’s event.
“This would better uphold the relevance of the Students’ Representatives Council, which should serve as an umbrella body for all student representatives, including the SEC, legislators, and hall executives. It is redundant to state that the Students’ Representatives Council is part of the Students Union Government when universities in countries like South Africa and Ghana have standalone Students’ Representatives Councils. It is crucial for development that we transition to a strictly parliamentary arrangement where the president, vice president, and other executive members are obligated to attend SRC meetings, just like the Senators who would also be part of the Students’ Representatives Council.
“This structure would foster collective action among union leaders. Their concerted efforts to address budget proposals, debate critical student issues, and engage intellectually with authorities can significantly impact students. A model for this approach has been established by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), where Senators or legislators are also executive members in their respective institutions,” He concluded.
