What Kind of Leader Are You?

Rianat Ademola

“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.”– Nelson Mandela

Leadership does not always look the same. Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. were both fighting for justice, but they chose different methods. King believed in patience and peaceful protest. Malcolm X believed people had to demand their rights and protect their dignity, even if that meant being confrontational. Though their approaches differed, both understood the urgency of their time. They remind us that leadership is shaped by what the moment demands.

A History of Student Activism in Nigeria

That same urgency has shaped student leadership in Nigeria for decades. When policies come down from university administrators or government agencies that hurt students, it is student leaders who are expected to act. This has been true for a long time. In 1971, Kunle Adepeju was shot during a protest at the University of Ibadan. He died as a martyr. His blood made an indelible mark in student union. In 1974, Segun Okeowo led the “Operation Gowon Must Go” protest. He was the president of the National Union of Nigerian Students at the time. The government shut down universities and banned the union but the protest left its mark. He proved that students could influence national decisions.

Years later, the University of Lagos brought back its student union after 16 years. Wasiu Odewale became the first elected president after the long break. He took office during a difficult time: rising tuition fees, poor facilities, and student frustration. His leadership was not just about holding a title: it meant returning to action, to the belief that students could speak up and be heard.

A Tough Environment for Leadership

Political scientist Claude Ake once said, “The problem with politics in Africa is not the absence of democracy, but the absence of conditions for democracy.” That is true for student leadership too. Many times, it starts in difficult situations: rising school fees, poor infrastructure, high expectations, and other issues. In these moments, we know that being a student leader is more than a position, it is a way of taking the fore front and trying to make things better.

A leader in our environment
At schools like the University of Ibadan, becoming a student leader takes work. Aspirants need to have a clear plan and defend it in front of everyone. They write manifestos about basic issues like student welfare and living conditions. They are screened by electoral bodies and questioned during press night. Then comes manifesto night, where they speak directly to the student body. These events test not just their ideas but their ability to handle pressure, logic and feasibility of their plans. They are scrutinised by students journalist who hold leaders accountable by asking tough questions and reporting on their actions. It takes alot to convince people that they are worthy of their position.

Two key values define good leadership: inclusivity and accountability. It is a recurring word in every manifesto. Do you know what it entails? Inclusivity means making sure every student is heard–no matter their background, tribe, religion, or language. In a country as diverse as Nigeria, this kind of leadership is essential. It builds trust and brings people together.When a group of students is excluded from the welfare agenda. It begs the question of essence of your leadership.

Accountability is harder. It means showing up, being open, and taking responsibility when things go wrong. Think about a campus where students have gone weeks without electricity. The halls are in total blackness, waters dropping bit by bit from the taps, the heat is unbearable, and no one has answers. A real leader does not wait for students to protest. They speak up, talk to the authorities and take steps to fix things. These are the times when leadership is not about titles–it is about action. Sometimes, leadership comes from unexpected places.

Being a leader does not t mean having all the answers. Often, it means making tough choices without knowing how things will turn out. Take Dobby, the house-elf from “Harry Potter”. He was not powerful, but he was brave. He did the right thing even when it was hard. His courage and willingness to act made a real difference. Leaders do not freeze. They move forward. They think about the people depending on them and do their best.

Looking Ahead

As a new academic session begins, student leaders across Nigeria should return to the values that matter most: inclusivity, transparency and accountability. These are not just end rhymes, they are the building blocks of trust. The challenges will keep coming, but how we respond to them will shape what kind of leaders we are and the kind of future we build.

So, What Kind of Leader Are You?