The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has restored its Students’ Union Government (SUG) nearly nine years after it was suspended, with the election of new student leaders for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The university disclosed this in a statement published on its official website on Friday, noting that the election marks the beginning of a transition process aimed at the full restoration of student unionism on campus.
According to the statement, the election produced a new Students’ Union President and General Secretary.
The exercise was organised by the Directorate of Student Affairs and supervised by the Dean of Student Affairs, Johnson Agunsoye. It was held at the Common Room of Moremi Hall on the university campus.
The university explained that the officers were elected from among the current faculty presidents in line with guidelines established for the transition process.
“At the end of the exercise, Bolaji Akinpelu of the Faculty of Arts emerged as President with a total of nine votes, while Daniel Solomon of the Faculty of Computing and Informatics was elected General Secretary with nine votes,” the statement said.
Speaking on the election, Agunsoye said the process fulfilled a commitment made by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, to facilitate the return of the Students’ Union.
“The restoration of the union is intended not only to provide a platform for the student population to express their views but also to prepare students for leadership responsibilities and encourage them to become solution-driven leaders,” he said.
The Students’ Union Government at UNILAG had been suspended since 24 April 2016, when the university senate dissolved the union and indefinitely suspended its constitution.
At the time, the management said the action followed student protests that disrupted academic activities and threatened peace on campus.
The decision sparked criticism from student groups and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), which accused the university authorities of suppressing students’ voices. The association also staged protests against the rustication of some student leaders who participated in demonstrations over poor electricity and water supply on campus.
However, the university management maintained that the suspension was necessary to restore order and ensure uninterrupted academic activities.
In 2024, Vice-Chancellor Ogunsola had assured students and other stakeholders that steps were being taken to reinstate the union, noting that student governance plays a key role in promoting student welfare and strengthening the academic environment.
For information on Press Releases, Photos, Promotional Events and Adverts, Please message us on WhatsApp via (+234) 09052129258, 08124662170 or send an email to: info@educeleb.com.
