UNILORIN student leaders charged on purposeful leadership, service
By Mustafa Abubakar
New student leaders at the University of Ilorin have been urged to embrace leadership founded on service, accountability, integrity and competence as essential ingredients for effective representation and sustainable student unionism.
The charge was given during a two-day Youth Leadership and Parliamentary Training organised for the 2026/2027 academic session newly elected student leaders by the Ameliorators International Initiative in collaboration with the Students’ Affairs Unit of the University of Ilorin. The training aimed to equip them with the knowledge, skills and values required for purposeful, responsible and effective leadership.
Held penultimate Friday and Saturday(July 24 and 25, 2026), it brought together members of the newly elected Students’ Union Central Executive Council (SU CEC), parliamentary officers and Faculty president-elects for intensive sessions on leadership philosophy, legislative procedures and modern student unionism.
Delivering the keynote presentation on “Modern Unionism and Purposeful Student Leadership,” the Ag Dean of the Students’ Affairs Unit, Dr Morenikeji Alex Akanmu, challenged participants to redefine contemporary student leadership beyond protests and agitation. He said today’s student leaders must function as activists, diplomats, influencers and problem-solvers capable of balancing advocacy with dialogue and negotiation.
According to him, while students expect union leaders to protect their welfare, provide academic support, create opportunities for career development and remain accessible, University management expects them to maintain peace and stability, engage authorities through dialogue before confrontation, communicate institutional policies effectively, build productive partnerships and protect the image of the University.
Dr Akanmu identified emotional intelligence, digital communication, project management and negotiation skills as essential competencies for effective student leadership, urging participants to become solution-oriented leaders. He concluded with the charge: “Be a bridge, not a barrier.”
Speaking on “The Act of Law Making,” Dr Adebola Bakare exposed participants to legislative processes and parliamentary practice, stressing that the legislature’s primary responsibilities are law-making, oversight and representation.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining cordial Executive-Legislature relationships founded on cooperation, mutual respect and institutional checks and balances, warning that cordiality should never result in legislative inactivity or compromise oversight responsibilities.
Dr Bakare defined a bill as a written draft of a proposed law and explained the recognised categories of bills, including Executive Bills, Member’s Bills (Private Members’ Bills) and Judicial Bills, while noting that Public Bills become legislative proposals only after sponsorship by elected lawmakers. He also introduced participants to parliamentary concepts such as the Order Paper, the Committee of the Whole and the Mace as the symbol of legislative authority before engaging participants in an interactive discussion on legislative accountability and the law-making process.
In another presentation, Mr Tajudeen Habeeb, a former NANS Kwara JCC Chairman, examined the practical realities of student leadership. He said successful leadership begins with a clear vision and is sustained through accessibility, effective communication, adaptability and commitment to measurable results. He encouraged participants to pursue constructive engagement with university authorities, explaining that dialogue and strategic stakeholder engagement often produce more sustainable solutions than unnecessary confrontation. He urged aspiring leaders to remain purpose-driven, accessible and committed to delivering meaningful results for those they represent.
Earlier, a former University of Ilorin Students’ Union President, Dr Shehu Usman Akanbi, described leadership as a trust bestowed by the people rather than a privilege, urging participants to uphold integrity, accountability and selfless service while prioritising the collective interest above personal ambition.
Dr Akanbi explained that effective leadership is rooted in service, justice, courage, humility, fairness and public trust. He urged them to cultivate discipline, creativity, emotional intelligence, adaptability and continuous personal development while embracing responsible representation through transparency, regular consultation, inclusive leadership, evidence-based advocacy, constructive dialogue, collaboration, innovation and lifelong learning.
Speaking earlier on behalf of the organisers, another former University of Ilorin Students’ Union President, Mr Ibrahim Ishowo, said the training was conceived to equip newly elected student leaders with the knowledge, values and practical skills required to provide purposeful, responsible and effective leadership within the university community. He said the initiative reflects the commitment of the Ameliorators International Initiative to raising a new generation of leaders committed to service, integrity, accountability and excellence.
Mr Ishowo urged participants to regard the programme as the beginning of a lifelong leadership journey, encouraging them to apply the lessons learnt, build bridges across constituencies, embrace dialogue in resolving challenges and remain worthy ambassadors of the University of Ilorin. He appreciated the Students’ Affairs Unit, facilitators, partners and participants for their contributions to the success of the programme and urged participants to translate the knowledge acquired into impactful leadership within their respective constituencies.
