The University of Lagos has reinstated its Students’ Union Government after a nine year suspension, ushering in a new phase of student representation with the election of new leaders for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The restoration followed an election conducted on Friday by the institution through the Directorate of Student Affairs.
The exercise produced Bolaji Akinpelu of the Faculty of Arts as the President of the union, while Daniel Solomon of the Faculty of Computing and Informatics emerged as the General Secretary.
According to a statement issued by the university, the election was coordinated by the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Johnson Agunsoye, and held at the Common Room of Moremi Hall on the university campus.
The university explained that the candidates were drawn from among the current faculty presidents in line with the transition guidelines established for restoring the union.
“At the end of the exercise, Bolaji Akinpelu of the Faculty of Arts emerged as the President with a total of nine votes while Daniel Solomon of the Faculty of Computing and Informatics was elected General Secretary with nine votes,” the statement said.
Agunsoye described the election as the fulfilment of a promise earlier made by the Vice-Chancellor, Folasade Ogunsola, to facilitate the return of the Students’ Union Government in the institution.
He explained that the move was aimed at strengthening student participation in leadership and governance within the university community.
“The restoration of the union is intended not only to provide a platform for the student population to express their views, but also to prepare students for leadership responsibilities and encourage them to become solution driven leaders,” Agunsoye said.
The development comes nearly nine years after the university senate dissolved the Students’ Union Government on April 24, 2016, and suspended its constitution indefinitely following protests and unrest that disrupted academic activities on campus.
At the time, the management said the action was necessary to restore order and ensure uninterrupted academic programmes.
However, the decision sparked criticism from student groups and the National Association of Nigerian Students, which protested the rustication of some student leaders involved in demonstrations over poor electricity and water supply on campus.
Student activists had accused the university management of suppressing their voices and limiting their right to express grievances.
In 2024, Ogunsola assured stakeholders that the university was taking steps toward reinstating the Students’ Union Government, noting that student governance plays an important role in building a vibrant academic environment and promoting students’ welfare.
