By Faith Ajewole
The Finance Committee of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union approved a total of ₦5,719,770 for the 2026 Freshers’ Week, following a rigorous review process necessitated by delays and discrepancies in the submission of the proposed budget.
The Freshers’ Week, which commenced on April 5, 2026, had its budget proposal submitted later than scheduled. While the Executive was expected to forward the document to the Finance Committee by 6:00 p.m.m, it was eventually submitted at 11:32 p.m., a delay that affected the pace of deliberations and decision-making.
Despite this setback, the Finance Committee, chaired by Hon. Olaniyi Abiola, acted swiftly. The committee convened three consecutive sittings, working intensively to scrutinise and rationalise the proposed figures in the interest of accountability and fiscal responsibility.
The initial budget submitted by the Executive totaled over ₦12 million, with allocations outlined as follows: ₦985,000 for publicity and logistics; ₦1,703,600 for Day One (Rally and Rave); ₦790,100 for Day Two (Orientation and Self-Project); ₦1,711,512 for Day Three (Inter-Hall and Essay Competition); ₦1,009,100 for Day Four (Cultural Carnival); ₦1,452,200 for Day Five (Theatre Night); ₦898,400 for Day Six (Health and Sports Day); and ₦3,847,050 for Day Seven (Dinner Night).
After careful evaluation, the committee reduced the overall budget, approving ₦5,719,770 for the week-long event.
The authority of the Finance Committee to approve such a budget without final approval before the whole House was challenged by several questions from honourables.
This concern was addressed by the Speaker of the Students’ Representative Council, who said that, this was done in accordance with constitutional provisions, and the Finance Committee is empowered to approve budgets. He further stated that the committee can approve all and any budget and it was the prerogative of the committee to decide if they want to recommend a budget to the house for approval.
The Speaker further explained that time constraints made it impractical to delay the process by convening a full sitting, particularly as the event date was imminent and required urgent financial approval to proceed effectively.
