The University of Ibadan Students’ Representative Council convened on Saturday for a plenary session that offered a comprehensive look into the current administration’s efforts regarding student welfare and academic stability. Although scheduled for 10:00 am, the proceedings officially commenced at 11:05 am following an opening prayer by the Speaker.
Central to the floor was the Students’ Union President, Deboye Temidayo, who provided critical updates on the “State of the Union,” ranging from the physical upkeep of the university to the complexities of federal loan disbursements.
One of the most pressing issues addressed involved the living conditions within the halls of residence. President Deboye emphasised that the executive body has been in active negotiations with various hall management teams to standardise hygiene protocols.
These efforts specifically target the maintenance of gutters, sewage, and drainage systems. Supporting these initiatives, the Council of Health Ministers has reportedly shown high responsiveness, though the President cautioned that while the process is underway, visible results may be gradual. Furthermore, he clarified the frequency of the university’s tank-washing exercises, noting that they are conducted once per semester to ensure every undergraduate and postgraduate hall is covered thoroughly.
Turning to academic matters, the President delivered a stern warning regarding the high rate of student withdrawals recorded in the previous session. An investigation by the Union revealed that a significant number of these withdrawals were not due to lack of merit, but rather administrative errors and the failure to register for core courses.
To prevent a recurrence, the Union has now mandated that all students consult their Heads of Department to verify their course lists before finalising registration on the portal. This directive also extends to students facing technical difficulties with General Studies (GES) courses, who are similarly advised to seek departmental confirmation.
The sitting also touched upon the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the concerns surrounding disbursement delays. President Deboye explained that the Union maintains a limited role in the loan’s structural operations, which fall primarily under university management. Despite the logistical hurdles of processing vast amounts of data, he offered reassurances to the student body, stating that all successful applicants would eventually receive their funds.
Finally, the Union addressed the recurring accommodation crisis faced by students on Industrial Training (IT). Historically, Abdulsalami Abubakar Hall served as a hub for such students, but recent shifts have led to instability. The President announced a proposal to the university management to dedicate a single hall specifically for IT students to eliminate the burden of repeated relocation.
