Presidential aspirants Abiola Olaniyi and Awofeso have stated their positions on students’ fees, collective action and collaboration with national student movements during the University of Ibadan Students’ Union (UI’SU) Press Night’26 presidential debate.
On fee policy, the aspirants were asked to justify the position of no increment or affordable fees amid concerns over the cost of university education.
Olaniyi argued that students should benefit from affordable fees, adding that “there should not be an additional fee to the current fees.”
Awofeso maintained that there should be no further increase to the already hiked fees. He argued that affordability and preventing further increases were not mutually exclusive, insisting that the current position of no increment should be maintained.
The debate also examined whether a Students’ Union president should prioritise institutional peace or challenge the status quo when faced with the Students’ Disciplinary Committee (SDC).
Awofeso said facing the SDC would not deter him, adding that it was likely to arise during his administration. He maintained that the Union had a responsibility to represent students’ interests through collective action.
Olaniyi said he would challenge existing arrangements whenever they undermined students’ interests and welfare. He added that the Union president had a responsibility to protect students, particularly when the majority had reached a consensus.
On the University of Ibadan’s relationship with student movements such as the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Association of University Students (NAUS), both aspirants supported collaboration.
Olaniyi described the organisations as important to strengthening advocacy for students’ rights beyond the university. He said he would sustain the relationship and collaborate with them if elected.
Awofeso also expressed support for collaboration, saying he had recognised the potential benefits the university could gain from working with the movements.
On the final debate question, “Town Hall is better than Congress,” Olaniyi argued in favour of town hall meetings, describing them as more feasible and effective in producing tangible results because they involve key stakeholders and interested students. He noted that holding a Congress required a quorum and approval from the Students’ Representative Council (SRC).
Awofeso, arguing against the motion, maintained that Congress provided an opportunity to consider the diverse views of students.
Both presidential aspirants, Ayomide Awofeso and Abiola Olaniyi, scored zero in the general knowledge assessment.
The debate gave students an opportunity to assess the aspirants’ positions on fee policy, student activism and external student advocacy ahead of the UI’SU elections.
This report is part of the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan (UCJ UI)’s Election Watchroom Initiative, which provides coverage of candidates and the electoral process of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union (UI’SU).
