After ten years of silence, UNILAG brings back the student union
A decade after protests shut it down, the university restores student leadership with a promise of more responsible representation.
10 years after student union was shut down at the University of Lagos, the institution has officially restored it, marking what many see as the end of a long stretch of silence in student representation.
On Tuesday, the university inaugurated a new Students’ Union Executive Council, with Bolaji Akinpelu sworn in as president. The ceremony, held at the Tayo Aderinokun Hall in Akoka, signals a shift for a campus that has operated without a formal student voice since 2016.
Back then, the university senate suspended the union following protests over basic welfare issues such as water shortages and electricity supply. The demonstrations escalated, disrupting academic activities and leading to damage to school property, a decision the management said was necessary at the time to restore order.
Now, a decade later, the university says it is ready to try again.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, who presided over the swearing-in, described the moment as more than a ceremonial event, framing it as a test of leadership and responsibility for the new executives.
She urged them to see their roles as a call to service, not just to students, but to the wider university community, while also reflecting on the events that led to the suspension.
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She noted that the earlier decision to disband the union followed violent protests that threatened the stability of the institution, adding that the new leadership must embrace dialogue and discipline in representing student interests.
The inauguration also included other key members of the executive council, alongside hall chairpersons and representatives from the Institute of Continuing Education, suggesting a broader effort to rebuild student structures across the university.
For the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Professor Johnson Agunsoye, the moment is only the beginning. He said the inauguration “signals the commencement of a phased process leading to the full constitution of the Students’ Union Executive Council and Students’ Parliament in the 2026/2027 academic session.”
The university is also putting resources behind the reinstated the student union. According to Agunsoye, the Vice-Chancellor approved a ₦5 million take-off grant, along with temporary office space and the refurbishment of an 18-seater bus to support union activities.
Security authorities were also present, with the Divisional Police Officer of Sabo Police Station, Comfort Alabi, charging the newly elected leaders to promote peace, uphold discipline, and steer clear of actions that could destabilise the campus.
For the students, however, the return of the student union carries a different weight. It is not just about structure or funding, but about representation after years of absence.
Speaking on behalf of the executives, Akinpelu described the development as “a new beginning,” promising leadership that is more responsive and purposeful.
That promise will likely be tested quickly. The issues that once led to protests, welfare concerns and the quality of student life have not disappeared entirely. What has changed is the expectation that this time, there is a platform to address them.
After 10 years without a formal union, UNILAG students now have their voice back. The question is how it will be used.
