In a democracy, popular sovereignty is the idea that the government is authorized by citizens and influenced by what they want. This idea is deeply entrenched in the belief that political office holders are to make decisions in the best interest of the people. That being said, it is also important to note that the need for true popular sovereignty in a student democracy like ours is at an all-time high.
Earlier this month, the Council of Faculty Presidents and Hall Chairpersons sought to increase the basic dues payable by students. These councils proposed a 33% increase from the current N3,000 to N4,000, describing it as ‘a necessity.’ As expected, this proposed increment needed the approval of the Students Representative Council (SRC) to be effected – one that if given would heap more financial burden on the University of Ibadan student populace. The harsh economic realities in the country coupled with the university management’s outrageous increment of school fees is already casting huge doubts on many students’ dream of tertiary education, especially freshmen. Many of those that spoke with UCJUI lamented the gripping effects of the increment and while they are still struggling to meet up with the payment deadline already circulated by the management, additional increment is the least these students expect.
Clearly, these instances, and many more largely underscores the argument of the two councils that the increment was necessary. Per Merriam Webster dictionary meaning, something only becomes necessary when it’s absolutely needed and in this case, can’t be said to be. Meanwhile, the same way students are seeking accountability from management on previous increments, is also the same way many are asking questions since the proposed increment made the news. In various faculties and halls of residence, the quality of the welfarism students receive is subpar, with only very few exceptions. It is the reason why even at the current amount, students deliberately don’t pay. The living condition of many students is very bad and when they make extra sacrifices for payments like this, it is because at the very least, they are expecting a dividend of payment, but how many student associations meet up with the expectations?
For example, at different times, such as here, here and here, the press has written about the trend of students associations either delaying or refusing to provide the end of the session package accruing from the payment of basic dues. When this happens, these student leaders hardly take responsibility for this bridge of trust. Usually, they blame it on something else and the consequence is apathy which apparently now affects the scope of work that successive administrations in recent times do. It didn’t just start today, it’s a seed that was sown a long time ago and an increase of the current amount is out of the resolution.
The Paradox
The University of Ibadan Students’ Representative Council disapproval of the proposed basic due increment only meant that the idea was dead on arrival. It also declared the Council of Faculty Presidents and Hall Chairpersons stance on the fee hike very weak. Following this SRC disapproval, the Executive Council of the union called for a ‘stakeholders meeting’ and the resolution was for students to stop payment of the outrageous school fees while the union explored other means to agitate students’ interest with the management. Although this is not the first time that such a directive would be announced, like in the past, students are worried this might not even birth positive outcomes.
However, it stands contradictory that the ‘stakeholders meetings’ that had in attendance the council of faculty presidents and hall chairpersons where the decision to pend payment of school fees was taken, are also the very ones interested in an increment in basic dues for students, which naturally raises the question of intention and it is only a matter of time before the #feesmustfall movement is sabotaged with this double standard if the council insists on the increment. Students are already paying extra and even triple, depending on the faculty, and subjecting them to another round of increment, would be these student leaders betraying the students who elected them into office to represent their collective interest in the first place.
At the very least, an increment in the basic dues is not what would translate into improvement in the quality of welfarism to be provided like the council argued. The fundamental problem is accountability and before these councils should be agitating for an increment, this needs to be addressed. With the current N3,000 how accountable is the council? How have students benefited from contributing a portion of their money over the years to the association’s purse? Was there a survey to determine if these proposed increments reflect the students’ wishes? And what is even the assurance that an increment is justified beyond this argument of the quality of welfarism that they bring to the table.
Implications
Now more than ever, there’s a dire need for student leaders to stay true to the responsibility of representing students’ interest and catering for their needs at all times. It is however worrisome that no matter how little that the Students Union are neck-deep in the struggle against the University outrageous fee hike, having the councils agitate for additional increment is sending a wrong signal to even the management of the institution, also raising the question of students leaders understanding of having the mandate to lead beyond winning at the poll. Sovereign power rests with the people but in a situation like this whereby the best interest of the people is not regarded, there could be a loss of truth in the system and by extension lead to student leaders emerging with the weakest mandate going forward.
Finally, this proposed increment also puts a size 20 spanner into the efforts of every student of the institution who has been agitating for fee reduction as they surge on in their fight against the outrageous amounts on the students portal. Increasing basic dues from N3,000 to N4,000 only means that the average student living on campus will be required to pay a minimum of N12,000 on basic dues across Departments, Halls and Faculty. In an economy where people are struggling to put three square meals on the table, such financial demands would not only be burdensome but insensitive. As the struggle against the outrageous hike in fees rages on, it is imperative that every student leader on campus works in the best interest of the student populace to make strides towards achieving a common goal. Afterall, every political office holder on the University campus was first a student before acquiring political power, hence, it is highly required that they strongly align with the interests of the people that they now lead.
