To the Students of the University of Abuja: A Call to Reclaim Unity and Credibility in Our SUG Elections

Dear UniAbuja Students,

As we gear  up for the forthcoming Students’ Union Government (SUG) election, there’s an air of surprise rippling through the campus. For many of us, the very idea of student politics sparking excitement feels almost alien. It’s no secret that student governance here has lost its luster, fading into a shadow of what it could—and should—be. Once a vibrant platform for leadership, advocacy, and collective progress, the SUG has, in recent years, become a distant echo, drowned out by apathy, disconnection, and a glaring communication gap between elected leaders and the students they claim to represent. But as a student and reawakening Gen-C preacher who has witnessed the power of informed action, I’m here to tell us: this election is our chance to rewrite that story.

Let’s face the facts. In some faculties, the names of SUG representatives are as unfamiliar as footnotes in a dusty textbook. Worse still, many of these elected officials seem to have mastered the art of invisibility—offering little to no tangible impact on the student body. It’s not just a matter of disinterest; it’s a systemic breakdown. The bridge between leaders and students has crumbled, leaving a chasm filled with mistrust and disillusionment. Ask yourself: when was the last time you felt your voice was truly heard by those who wear the badge of student leadership? When did an SUG initiative last touch your academic or social life in a meaningful way?

This isn’t just a UniAbuja problem—it’s a reflection of what happens when credibility erodes and unity frays. Research into student governance across Nigerian universities shows a clear pattern: where communication falters, engagement collapses. A 2023 Uniabuja press study on student unionism in West Africa found that campuses with active, transparent SUGs reported higher student satisfaction and collective problem-solving. Contrast that with our reality, where the average UniAbuja student might struggle to name their faculty representative, let alone recount a single achievement tied to their tenure.

But here’s the good news: we hold the power to change this. The upcoming SUG election isn’t just a routine vote—it’s a referendum on what student leadership ought to be. It’s a chance to demand accountability, to elect leaders who don’t just occupy office but fight for your welfare, your academic rights, and your future. This is about more than picking names on a ballot; it’s about restoring a system that unites us across faculties, departments, and hostels.

So, what do we need? First, unity. The diversity of UniAbuja—spanning sciences, arts, law, and beyond—is our strength, but only if we harness it. Elect leaders who see beyond their cliques or faculties, who understand that a win for Education students is a win for Engineering, that a better library in Gwagwalada benefits the Law student in Main Campus too. Second, credibility. Demand candidates with clear plans, not vague promises. Ask them: How will you bridge the information gap? What’s your strategy to ensure we know who you are and what you’re doing? Hold them to it—because a leader who can’t communicate doesn’t deserve your vote.

To the candidates stepping forward: this is your moment to rise above the status quo. Be visible. Be vocal. Tell us why you’re running and how you’ll serve. To those who’ve grown cynical about student politics: your vote is your voice. Apathy handed us this disconnect—action can take it back.

As I write this, I’m reminded of a quote from Chinua Achebe: “A man who calls his kinsmen to a feast does not do so to save them from starving. They all have food in their own homes. When we gather together in the moonlight, it is so we may have light in our hearts.” The SUG isn’t here to spoon-feed us solutions—it’s here to light the way, to unite us in purpose. Let’s make this election a turning point. Let’s bring back the light.

Yours in truth and progress,
IFESINACHI DONALD UDOKA 
A Student and Change Crusader for UniAbuja’s Future