It Begins With Her: The Rise of Comr. Korede Royalty and a New Dawn for Yakubu Gowon University
Sinach
Published Date:
May 27, 2025
Last Updated:
In the heart of Nigeria’s capital, where the pulse of academic excellence beats strong, Yakubu Gowon University—formerly the University of Abuja—stands as a beacon of learning and unity. Since its founding in 1988, this institution has shaped minds, fostered dreams, and stood as a testament to Nigeria’s resilience. Yet, in its nearly four-decade history, one glaring absence has persisted: no woman has ever led the Students’ Union Government (SUG) through the polls. That is, until now. Enter Comr. Korede Royalty, a trailblazer whose candidacy is not just a campaign but a clarion call for change, unity, and a Nigeria that rises above tribe and tongue. Her movement, aptly named It Begins With Her, is not merely a bid for leadership—it’s a lifestyle, a revolution, and a vision for a better future.
The Yakubu Gowon University, renamed in 2024 to honor General Yakubu Gowon’s legacy of national unity, has a storied past. Established as a dual-mode institution for both conventional and distance learning, it has grown into a hub of intellectual rigor. Yet, its SUG leadership has remained an exclusively male domain. Despite the university’s diverse student body, where women are not outnumbered, the SUG presidency has eluded female candidates, often through a toxic mix of threats, body-shaming, and gerrymandering by a entrenched male-dominated system. The first woman to dare the polls, an “Aluta E,” faced defeat not by merit but by intimidation—a stark reminder of the systemic barriers that have kept women from the helm.
But history is not destiny. Comr. Korede Royalty is rewriting the narrative, and her story is one that demands our attention, our admiration, and our action. She is not just running for SUG president; she is igniting a movement that challenges the status quo and redefines leadership for a new generation.
Unlike the campaigns of old, marked by warlike rhetoric, fiery posturing, or the predatory bravado of “white lions seeking what to devour,” Comr. Korede Royalty’s It Begins With Her is a movement rooted in inclusion, empathy, and transformation. It is not a call to arms but a call to hearts—a lifestyle that invites every student, regardless of gender, tribe, or background, to dream of a Nigeria where unity triumphs over division.
Korede’s mandate is unique in its structure and vision. It is built on the pillars of collaboration, equity, and progress. Her campaign is not about tearing down but about building up—a university community where every voice is heard, every potential is nurtured, and every student is empowered. It Begins With Her is a promise that leadership can be compassionate yet resolute, visionary yet grounded, and bold yet inclusive. It is a lifestyle that begins with her but belongs to us all.
At a recent election press briefing, Korede stood out not just for her eloquence but for her courage in denouncing external interference in the SUG elections. Posts on X captured the moment vividly, with one user,
@RotimiOfRaftech, noting her resolve: “Korede Royalty Stands Out at University of Abuja Election Press Briefing, Denounces External Interference.” Another,
@ObaDonaldUdoka, echoed the sentiment, urging alumni to respect the undergraduates’ right to choose their leaders, with hashtags like #KOREDEROYALTYFORYAGUSUG and #LADIESFIRST amplifying her cause. These voices on X reflect a growing sentiment: Korede is not just a candidate; she is a symbol of hope for a university and a nation ready to embrace change.
Comr. Korede Royalty’s candidacy is more than a milestone for Yakubu Gowon University; it is a microcosm of Nigeria’s broader aspirations. Her vision aligns with the legacy of General Yakubu Gowon, whose “no victor, no vanquished” philosophy after the Nigerian Civil War became a cornerstone of national reconciliation. Just as Gowon sought to heal a fractured nation, Korede seeks to unite a diverse student body, transcending the tribal and linguistic divides that too often define Nigerian society. Her leadership promises a Nigeria where merit, not gender or ethnicity, determines one’s place at the table.
The renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University in December 2024 was a nod to Gowon’s enduring contributions to national unity. Yet, it is fitting that this institution, now bearing his name, is the stage for Korede’s historic bid. Her campaign embodies the same spirit of unity and progress that Gowon championed. As she declared at the press briefing, her leadership is not about personal ambition but about collective empowerment—a Nigeria that rises with her, devoid of tribes and tongues, united by shared dreams.
To fall in love with Comr. Korede Royalty is to fall in love with possibility. Her candidacy is a chance to right a historical wrong, to shatter a glass ceiling, and to prove that leadership knows no gender. But this is not her fight alone. It begins with her, but it continues with us—every student, alumnus, and Nigerian who believes in a future where equity and excellence go hand in hand.
The road to this moment has not been easy. The university’s leadership has seen significant changes, with President Bola Tinubu’s 2025 overhaul replacing the governing council and appointing Senator Lanre Tejuoso as Pro-Chancellor and Professor Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice-Chancellor. These shifts signal a new era for the institution, one that Korede’s leadership can complement with a student government that prioritizes unity and innovation.
We must work to ensure that It Begins With Her becomes a reality. This means rejecting the tactics of intimidation and division that have stifled progress in the past. It means amplifying Korede’s message, supporting her vision, and voting for a future where every student can thrive. It means embracing the lifestyle she champions—one of collaboration, respect, and shared purpose.
Comr. Korede Royalty is not just a candidate; she is a catalyst for change. Her movement, It Begins With Her, is an invitation to reimagine what leadership can be—not a battlefield, but a bridge; not a roar, but a chorus. As Yakubu Gowon University stands at the cusp of a new chapter, let us rally behind Korede, not just to make history, but to make a difference.
Let us fall in love with her vision, her courage, and her unwavering belief in a united Nigeria. Let us work tirelessly to ensure that her mandate becomes a reality, not just for the students of Yakubu Gowon University, but for a nation yearning for leaders who inspire, unite, and uplift. It begins with her, but it begins with us. Let’s make it happen.
About the Author
Sinach
A les Avocat, living with the It Begins With Me Mantra and determined to dot all i's and cross all t's for a better Nigeria.
