Sakeenah Kareem
Leaders are usually a reflection of the people they lead – Awdhesh Singh
Awdhesh Singh’s quote, “Leaders are usually a reflection of the people they lead,” holds not only on the national stage but also at local levels. At the University of Ibadan (UI), student politics is a striking, almost comical, mirror of national politics. While these students complain and bash politicians in the conventional space, a peek in the mirror would reveal that they are not any different. Or maybe they are, after all, the blackness of a kettle is different from that of a pot.
Look in the mirror
Godfatherism is a prominent feature of Nigerian national politics, where political power is often passed down through family connections or influential figures. This practice has seeped into student politics, where certain candidates rise to power, not because of their competence, but because they have the right “father” backing them. In UI, aspiring student leaders often make deals with established figures to ensure that their path to power is paved by external influence. Just as national politicians rely on these unspoken agreements to secure their positions, student leaders do the same — prioritizing loyalty over responsibility. And in both cases, the beneficiaries are rarely the citizens or students.
Furthermore, Student politicians often spend more time designing stunning banners than crafting substantive manifestos and discussing critical issues. The eye-catching posters, flashy slogans, and grand promises are all a distraction from the real issues that students face. Similarly, national politicians in Nigeria invest significant resources into campaign rallies and flashy speeches that appeal to the emotional side of voters, but when it comes down to it, there’s little action behind the promises. In both cases, the focus is on looking good rather than doing good.
In the lead-up to elections, many UI student politicians have been known to offer rides to DLC, curate GES past questions, and become unnecessarily friendly all in exchange for votes. On the national level, the situation isn’t too different. National politicians often “fix” things right before an election, like repairing that long-forgotten bridge or visiting a community orphanage, purely for electoral advantage. It’s an all-too-familiar dance of exploiting the electorate’s immediate needs for short-term political gain, with no regard for long-term benefits.
Another eerie parallel is the way class representatives in universities sometimes extort money from their mates for project fees or similar funds. This mirrors the behaviour of certain national leaders who, instead of distributing palliative materials meant for the citizens, are caught selling or hoarding them. Both instances speak to a system of exploitation, where the so-called leaders are not fulfilling their roles of service but are using their positions to further their financial interests.
Whenever an incident happens in the university, student politicians are quick to release letters filled with promises of action or regret. These letters, often written with grandiose language, are intended to give the impression that something is being done. The same can be said of the Nigerian government’s approach to crises — issuing statements or distributing rice packages after a disaster to create the illusion of care, while in reality, the root causes of the issues remain unaddressed. In both cases, this reactive rather than proactive approach is a hallmark of failed leadership.
An aspirant from the last UI’SU election included in his bio that he was an aspirant for the UI’SU president’s office. This is not at all surprising as one of Nigeria’s politicians who has contested for the office of president three times in a row always includes this fact in his bio. What these instances symbolise is that many candidates run for offices to update their portfolio and not to serve us.
Impact and Consequences
The similarities between student politics and national politics are more than just coincidental. If student politicians are learning to emulate the behaviours of national leaders — prioritizing personal gain, playing to the gallery, and failing to deliver on promises — what happens when these students graduate and step into the larger political arena? The cycle of corruption, poor governance, and self-interest will continue to perpetuate the same problems at every level of society.
In the end, the future of both student leadership and national governance depends on a shift in mindset. If we, as students and citizens, continue to elect individuals who are driven by self-interest rather than a genuine desire to serve, we will only perpetuate a system that is designed to fail. The solution lies in demanding more from our leaders. Leadership is a reflection of the people’s will, but it must be a reflection of the people’s best interests, not their lowest instincts.
To break this cycle, students and citizens must take an active role in holding leaders accountable. Elections should not be a popularity contest, where the loudest voices or the most familiar faces automatically win. Instead, we must vote based on merit—on who has the best vision, track record, and concrete plans for solving problems. we should scrutinize campaign promises, ask tough questions, and refuse to be swayed by flashy banners or temporary acts of generosity.
Beyond elections, the populace must cultivate a culture of critical thinking. Blindly accepting what we are told without questioning or seeking clarity only enables mediocrity in leadership. Attending manifesto nights, and presidential debates, engaging in discussions, and demanding transparency from student leaders should become the norm. If a leader makes a promise, students must follow up. If a leader fails, students must call them out. Silence and indifference are what allow bad governance to thrive.
Ultimately, If we want better leadership, we must demand better from ourselves — because the leaders we get are the leaders we deserve. The power is in our hands, and it’s time to stop letting it slip through our fingers.
• This is piece is part of the ongoing special series on the dynamics of the 2025 Students’ Union Election by the Union of Campus Journalists under its Election Watch Room Initiative.
