"WE THANK PRESIDENT TINUBU AND THE FCT MINISTER FOR THE BUS, WE ALSO DEMAND FOR THE REMAINING 9 CNG BUSES" -SUG UofA

University of Abuja SUG: A Tale of Criticism and Triumph

As the Students Union Government (SUG) of the University of Abuja celebrated its 100 days in office on July 28, the Hon. Bashir-led administration was met with criticism from students. The backlash stemmed from the SUG's decision to back out of a planned protest, which was widely reported by Nuesa Blog.

The protest, initially aimed at addressing various student concerns, was eventually called off to avoid exacerbating national chaos. The university's strategic location in the Federal Capital Territory made it a critical consideration. However, this decision was met with skepticism, with some students labeling the SUG as "toothless bulldogs."

Despite the criticism, the SUG remained committed to addressing student concerns. On August 4, the union released a statement encouraging students to remain calm and supportive of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. The statement echoed the President's call for dialogue and peaceful resolution.

In the face of rising costs, the SUG continued to advocate for students' welfare. When the National Petroleum and Gas Company (NNPCL) announced a hike in fuel prices on September 4, the union reassured students that shuttle prices would remain unchanged.

However, as the cost of living in the Federal Capital Territory continued to rise, students began to demand more concrete solutions. On October 23, a student leader penned an open letter to the President, requesting the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses for the university.

The letter, published on Nuesa Blog, sparked a renewed wave of advocacy. The SUG, in collaboration with stakeholders and NANS affiliates, took to national television and newspapers to push for the provision of CNG buses, a few days ago.

Their efforts finally bore fruit when the Federal Government donated one CNG bus to the university. While this development is a welcome step, the SUG is now calling for the release of the remaining nine buses promised by the government.

In a statement, the SUG expressed gratitude to the Federal Government while reiterating the need for the remaining buses. "The cost of living in the FCT is high, and our students deserve access to affordable transportation. We urge the government to release the remaining buses to support our students' welfare."

The SUG's perseverance in the face of criticism and adversity is a testament to their commitment to serving the students of the University of Abuja. As they continue to advocate for students' welfare, it remains to be seen how their efforts will shape the future of the university.