Who Has Been Leading Us? — The Erosion of Congress

Rianat Ademola

A Sleeping Giant

Congress is the highest decision-making body within the University of Ibadan student community. It supersedes all other student councils—faculties, halls of residence, departments, the Students’ Union, and the Student Representative Council (SRC). Its authority lies in its inclusivity: a convergence of students from across all units, large and small, who gather to deliberate on issues and influence the direction of student governance. Crucially, this power is not hierarchical—it belongs entirely to the students.

At its core, Congress is a forum: a platform for students to speak with one voice, share concerns, and unite in action. One pressing issue is the recent hike in school fees—a recurring pain point that has once again brought students into contention with the university administration. Congress is vital in checking both our representatives and the decisions of school management. But when some students are willing to act while others remain indifferent or absent, Congress loses its strength.

This is where sensitisation becomes essential. As the adage goes, “Ignorance is a disease.” We must unmask apathy and realise that the power of Congress is not a privilege—it is a right. Participation should be instinctive and internal, not coerced. If our demands go unmet and our voices are absent from the most pressing issue, we must ask: what are we truly learning if we need to be spoon-fed to fight for what affects us all?

A Yoruba proverb says, “Ohun tí bá j’oni l’ówó, a kì í fi jò lẹ́”—whatever burns your hand should not become your plaything. Matters that affect us directly must be treated with urgency. Yet, the collective attitude toward Congress is troubling—both from the student body and the elected executives.

Students should not need to be dragged into Congress. Participation must come from a sense of responsibility. Do you want the school fees hike scrapped? Then show up for it. The school fee hike is not new—it has become a tragic cycle. But the deeper tragedy is the lukewarm attitude of our Students’ Union executive councils—those who were elected to speak for us. Without a quorum, Congress cannot function. And when we fail to act, we surrender our power. The management takes note of that silence and capitalises on it.

Negligence has sown deep distrust among students. The Students’ Union’s failure to release a notice for Congress—especially with the school fee deadline approaching—is a clear sign of misplaced priorities. When the priorities of the Student Union executives differ from those they are meant to represent, are they still for us or against us? These are the same individuals who once campaigned on promises of accountability, inclusivity, and transparency. But when those values are tested, we are left asking: Who is really leading us?

Dr. Myles Munroe once wrote: “Leadership is the key to human preservation, growth, and change. No matter what condition a society or nation finds itself in, it did not arrive there by accident. Someone led them there.”

Across departments, halls, and faculties, student leaders have been elected and entrusted with responsibility. Yet mobilising the student body remains a herculean task. Why?

Because negligence has bred distrust. Students are disappointed. The spirit of unionism has lost its credibility. This is not the absence of leadership, it is the erosion of values-driven leadership. When students had to pressure the SU executives to release a notice for Congress, and they eventually did so just hours before the meeting, it became political propaganda—not representation. That kind of last-minute scramble is not about engagement—it is about ticking a box to silence criticism.

Let us be clear: this is a critical moment in the life of our university. We must not be nonchalant about Congress. The cost of staying divided is risky. Students who cannot afford school fees will be victims again. Even if our leaders are indifferent, we must not wear that indifference like a badge of honour. We cannot carry their negligence on our own shoulders.

A good name is more desirable than great riches. To be esteemed is better than silver or gold. It is in our true essence that we are called intellectual UItes. And if being an intellectual means confinement within academic walls alone, then the name needs to be redefined. A few weeks to the deadline, we still don’t know our fate. Yet, we must not remain silent or wait until the deadline meets us unprepared.

So, how do we resolve the issue at hand? By restoring the dignity and relevance of Congress. We must come together as intellectuals to hold our leaders accountable. Their promised welfarism and vision must be put into practice. Our voices must be united.