UI’SU SRC Reviews State of the Union, Approves Call for Congress
Yusuf Mufutaudeen
The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union (UI’SU) held its third ordinary meeting on September 13th, 2025, to deliberate on the state of the union, committee reports, and the ratification of congress.
The meeting, scheduled for 10:00 a.m., did not commence until 11:37 a.m. due to the lateness of members of the House. The session also witnessed instances of disorderliness, including the inappropriate dressing of an Honourable member from Zik Hall constituency.
The UISU executives, despite being formally invited, also failed to arrive on time. The Students’ Union President, Covenant Odedele, alongside other executives, entered the chamber at 11:53 a.m. while another agenda was ongoing.
Apologising for his lateness, Odedele explained that he had been urgently called by the DPO of Sango Police Station to identify some individuals arrested for a criminal offence who claimed to be University of Ibadan students.
Presenting his report on the state of the union, Odedele highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the Union. He said the Union supported students through academic tutorials, Twitter spaces, and free transport for over 800 students during GES exams. More than 400 exam relief packages and free meal tickets were distributed.
On sports, he noted that new facility timetables were introduced and a Sportsperson Spotlight initiative was launched. On welfare and safety, he said the Union embarked on the Light-Up UI project, sanitation drives in halls, and food quality checks. The Union also partnered with brands to deliver programmes such as the Ranret Financial Summit, Sigma Health Outreach, and Wema Hackaholics.
He added that the Union organised a two-day leadership seminar, which featured a visit to the Olusegun Obasanjo Library and a summit for student leaders to reflect and sharpen their leadership skills. The Union also held its second town hall meeting, where student representatives were updated on ongoing initiatives and provided feedback to improve governance.
According to the president, the Union has requested SRC approval to hold a Congress, with preparations to begin immediately once approval is granted. He further disclosed that the Union is compiling names of students yet to receive last session’s refunds from NELFUND and would work to resolve the issue, while refunds for the current session are yet to commence.
On disciplinary matters, Odedele explained that although the Union defended students facing cases, their lack of cooperation hindered the ability to clear charges against them.
During the interactive session, Honourable Segun of Zik Hall asked the president to clarify his claim of making consistent efforts regarding three UI students, and insisted that students should be defended by the Union regardless of whether they were cooperative or not. In response, Odedele maintained that the alleged students had refused to engage with Union leaders, which limited the support that could be provided.
One of the most significant items on the agenda was the ratification of Congress. The Speaker of the House, Honourable Shoge Quadri Olaoluwa, called for a vote on the ratification and commencement date. With at least two-thirds of members voting in support, the motion for the call of Congress was carried and approved for September 20, 2025, at 8:00 a.m.
The Speaker also tasked the president of the Union to state the agenda for the Congress, stressing that it would be used to hold him accountable. Odedele outlined the programme to include the introduction and state of the union, matters arising, plans of the Union, and any other business. The Speaker then gave final approval for the call to Congress
