As part of concerted efforts to provide credible reports and reviews on the candidates and the electoral process of the UISU, UCJ UI under its Election Watchroom Initiative reached out to UISU President Aspirant, Oluwole Ayomide Joy (Sanjay). In this exclusive chat with UCJ correspondents, Joy spoke about his candidacy and discusses his plans for the Union.
UCJ: Good day everyone. Welcome to this eighth interview of the UCJUI Election Watch Room interview session. Today, we have with us one of the aspirants for the position of the Students Union President, Mr. Oluwole Ayomide Joy (Sanjay).
Ayomide: My name is Oluwole Ayomide Joy, a 400 level student from the faculty of Law and a resident of Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall. I am a candidate for the office of the President of the University of Ibadan Student Union and the former House Secretary of the same union.
UCJ: Ok, can you tell us more about the office you are running for?
Ayomide: The office of the President is the first amongst the other seven executive positions in the Student Union and is saddled with the responsibility of the other executives. The office is also saddled with championing the agitation for the representation of the rights and interests of the University of Ibadan Students across all levels.
UCJ: Thank you very much for that. You’ve built a reputation beyond UI from being the former House Secretary and to the current position you’re running for now. Why running for the UI Students Union President?
Ayomide: I am running for the office of the President because of my passion to serve. Being the House Secretary last session, I have witnessed the challenges that students of the University of Ibadan face and I tried my best to solve as many problems as I could. I also believe that going by the experience I have garnered over the years as the [former] House Secretary of the University of Ibadan Student Union, PRO of my faculty, honourable at Great Ife Student Union, Financial Secretary at NAOS OAU, honourable at my department in OAU and some other positions where I have served in different capacities. I am now well equipped to represent, fight and advocate for the rights and interest of the University of Ibadan students.
UCJ: Ok, what are your plans if elected into office?
Ayomide: There are various plans I have for the University of Ibadan students and they cut across academics, social life, sports,career development, welfare and the likes. So, I’ll be starting with academics. Over the years, I have witnessed and seen freshmen who are admitted into the University of Ibadan face numerous challenges by not being able to adapt to the transition to school on time. It is the first time most of them are in the University environment. If elected, I will ensure there is academic welfare for freshmen, staylites, finalists, post graduate students and students preparing for their M.B. We would make sure freshers who have interest in governance, entertainment, sports and volunteering get proper orientation over the years by inviting people who have done so before to orient them on how to do it and be successful by it. In the same vein, we would ensure they perform well academically by holding periodic tutorials, organizing mid-semester mocks and partnering with faculties whenever they hold tutorials. When partnering, we would be specific and provide the faculties with whatever they need. On welfare, I would ensure that we have online scheduling for appointments at Jaja so as to prevent students from waiting for hours before being attended to. However, emergencies would not require scheduling. We are also going to seek sponsorship to ensure that the Student Union Building has a 24-hour power supply. I am also going to work on the better upgrading of some places in the SUB. I would also work on career development by organizing seminars, especially for final year students on how to live after school. Apart from that, we would be writing to corporate bodies to take final year students as interns, this would be a way by which the union provides employment for the graduates. In the same vein, we would ensure [students] with disabilities are included in the SRC [for inclusivity] because it seems like they have been forgotten over the years. We would also ensure that people with disabilities get at least 20-25% of whatever program is organized by the SU. A liaison officer, who I would be getting information directly from, would be gotten from the post-graduate students. I have also met with the former SU president and I discovered that the only way to solve the ABH light issue is by separating the college and hostel light (electricity). We are going to make sure this [the separation of power supply] is done. Also, I would ensure I propose a bill that an ABH Vice President is elected so as to facilitate attending to issues affecting the hostel. I am also going to ensure that competitions are organized for other sporting activities aside from football.
UCJ: Thank you very much. You have quite a lot of plans. We have something to say about your plans though. You got some facts wrong by saying people with disabilities have not been included in the union. We vividly remember they were part of the SRC last session. There was also an aspirant from ABH last session as there is this session. Let’s see what comes out of your bill because it seems you saying you want a vice president from ABH is like you monopolising the office. However, time will tell. Where do you intend to get funds from by the way?
Ayomide: While I was the House secretary last session, my administration was able to raise over 3 million naira for virtual scholarships through alumni relations. I plan on reaching out to these people once again.
UCJ: Speaking of you being heavily involved in projects, there were issues you had with the SRC on the mismanagement of funds, what can you say about that?
Ayomide: I was alleged 3 times. The first time was as a result of negligence of due process on my part that I was made to pay a ten thousand naira fine. The second time, I and the Vice president were accused of not informing the SRC about the plan for the ‘Finnim Anim’ which we were planning at that time. Eventually, the issue was dismissed and we were not suspended. The third time, I was accused of collecting money from a vendor at the SU building without issuing her a receipt. There was also emotional evidence because the woman was almost crying while she was made to appear before them. However, I collected all the money into the union’s account and issued out receipts to everyone I got money from. To my greatest shock, I was charged guilty by the disciplinary committee. When this was tabled at the floor of the house, the disciplinary committee recommended that I was suspended indefinitely till the end of my tenure. This issue was tried and I was not found guilty however, the SRC did not make any official communique as to the resolution of the house. After the resolutions were brought by the disciplinary committee and the recommendations were discussed, the house came to a resolution.
UCJ: Ok, whether guilty or not on the mismanagement of funds says a lot and we hope when you get elected, issues like these would not come up again. However, matters of the constitution are taken very seriously and in the report provided, it was mentioned that your predecessor gave you some explanation about how the fund should be expended. What is the assurance that you won’t be alleged again?
Ayomide: If elected, such is never going to happen under my watch or with my person.
UCJ: Student leaders often struggle with balancing advocacy and diplomacy. How would you ensure the student union remains firm on students’ interest while keeping the lines of communication open with the management?
Ayomide: From my own part, we would be having a series of Congress and town hall meetings where issues affecting the University of Ibadan students would be discussed. The resolutions made at these meetings would be the priority of the student leaders. Apart from that, we would be consulting and consolidating with the management but if we have no other option, we would take on confrontation and dialogue.
UCJ: Do you believe protests are still effective tools for student advocacy? If so, what circumstances should justify a protest under your leadership?
Ayomide: Yes, I do and if it ever gets to a point where we are oppressed about school fees or any other issues and confrontation and dialogue are not working, we would go on protest.
UCJ: The Students Union is often accused of being disconnected from the everyday struggles of the students, how would you ensure your administration actively listens to and represents the concerns of all students including those who may not be vocal?
Ayomide: The first step would be calling a meeting of all necessary stakeholders on campus where issues would be discussed. Afterwards, a Congress would be called for. There would be a suggestion box at the SUB and a Google link form for those who can’t afford to come to the SUB.
UCJ: During your administration as House Secretary, the laboratory and studio fees were introduced into the bundle fee and students had to pay for them. What roles did you play as the House Secretary then?
Ayomide: When we asked the students not to pay at that time, we met with the management to discuss these issues and I can say because I am one of them, that the school management did not do anything to the students who did not pay. So, we are going to make sure more consciousness is raised by the union towards the students to ensure they abide by the decisions made by the union. However, if they don’t, Congress would be held to ensure our unification.
UCJ: Ok. Can you give comments on the accomplishments and failures of the current administration?
Ayomide: I believe team amelioration has really tried their best attending to the issues that affect the student populace but I think they could have done better with disseminating information to the student body.
UCJ: Looking beyond your tenure-if elected- what legacy do you want to leave behind as the Student Union President and how do you intend to ensure the policies or initiatives you introduce don’t end with your administration?
Ayomide: I want to leave behind a conscious and vibrant union which would agitate for their need and the protection of their rights at every point in time. I believe with this, we would have a better union and the incoming administration would continue the work towards that.
UCJ: Thank you very much, we have come to the end of the interview; goodbye.
- This interview is part of a special series on the dynamics of the 2025 Students’ Union Election by the Union of Campus Journalists under its Election Watch Room Initiative.
