Student unionism in Nigeria can be traced back to 1952 when the National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) emerged from the defunct West African Students Union (WASU). The union which was formed to provide a voice for students also played a role in the advocacy for Nigeria’s independence, providing intellectual and organisational support to nationalist movements.
In the early years of independence, organised student groups were vocal critics of government policies, often challenging corruption, authoritarianism, and maladministration. They were also a pivotal force in opposing military dictatorships from the 1960s up to the start of the Fourth Republic in 1999.
Student unionism has also been an excellent breeding ground for future politicians and civic activists, providing them with the opportunity to build their skills in organisation, negotiation, and public speaking. It also propels them into national politics as they carry their advocacy for justice and equity into larger civic and political spaces. Prominent civic activists such as the late Gani Fawehinmi and Femi Falana, and politicians including former governors Kayode Fayemi, Adams Oshiomole and Babatunde Fashola were all once active in student unionism and politics.
However, one demographic is largely missing from student unionism: female students. This mirrors the wider Nigerian political scene where women are grossly underrepresented. Currently, women hold only 6.7% of elective and appointive offices in Nigeria, far below the global average of 22.5% and the West African sub-regional average of 15%.While the numbers for student politics are not available, every anecdotal evidence points to the fact that it is terribly low.
But what could be the problem that stands in the way of young women on our campuses joining student politics? Is it a cultural barrier and gender stereotyping of leadership as a male preserve? Is it the threat of harassment? Could it be the lack of support and mentorship? Or is it the fear of societal backlash and the heightened scrutiny into their lives?
For Blessing Alims, a Peace and Conflict Studies student at the University of Calabar who was elected as the first female student union president in the school’s 49 years in June, she faced some harassment based on her body size.
“My relatively small stature did not match the expectations of many considering how popular I was,” she said. “Some people said I was going to get raped or used by men and still not win elections, and one male student went all the way to ask for sex as a precondition for support.”
Her fellow trailblazer at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Mary Olorunshola Abiodun who was elected around the same period also spoke of being rejected by some people who felt that the work was for a man.
However, both women were undeterred in their electoral quests, spurred on their inspirations to serve their fellow students.
“I knew it was not going to be easy considering it has always been men that have led the student body. But I was inspired by the need to make a difference in the sense that there has been no female SUG president in its 49 years of existence despite having more female students in its population. I was also inspired to fight against marginalisation, because women are considered not material for the office of the SUG president based solely on their gender, and not on their qualifications,” said Blessing Alims.
In Mary’s experience, she kept on going because of her passion for inspiring and motivating other students into politics.
“I was inspired to run for office by my love for leadership. I also want to see more students, especially female students, in politics.”
Jane Kangyang Pwajok, the first female Student Union Government President in close to three decades in the University of Jos was inspired by a deep desire to bring impactful change to the student community and amplify the voices of those who often go unheard.
“As a student, I’ve witnessed both the challenges and potential within our institution, and I felt compelled to step up and work towards creating an inclusive environment where every student feels empowered,” she said.
Two common threads that run through the stories of all three women are those of political consciousness and preparedness. All of them spoke about having always been politically conscious and making efforts to be a voice. They also referenced leadership roles that they held at lower levels which have prepared them for leading the entire student bodies of their schools.
“I have volunteered with civil society, I have held other leadership positions in class and in student fellowship. I have always wanted to run for the SUG president since my 100L,” said Blessing in reference to her preparation for the position.
For Mary, she held positions such as the Assistant General Secretary, Vice President and Acting President of her Faculty Association at various points. She was also the Special Advisor to the SUG Vice President on Academic Affairs, and is now concurrently the Vice President of the FUOYE Chapter of the National Female Student Association of Nigeria.
“I dived into politics as early as my 100l to represent and be a voice for the student’s populace,” she said.
Jane’s interest in politics was kindled by her family background with at least two generations of her family having run for office or held public offices.
“However, my involvement in politics goes beyond family influence; it stems from a personal desire to serve and contribute meaningfully to my community. Over the years, I have engaged in political discussions, volunteered for initiatives, held offices (elected and appointed), and taken part in activities that foster leadership and advocacy,” she added.
As part of their preparation, they also drew inspiration from role models that they looked up to, and who shaped their ideals and made them more aspirational. Whether they were women they had personal relationships with, such as the founder of Girls Power Initiative Prof. Mrs Bene Madunagu, and the coordinator of the Initiative in Calabar Ndodeye Bassey for Blessing, or for Jane, her mother; or amazons in history and contemporary times such as Funmilayo Ransome Anikulapo-Kuti, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, and Obiageli Ezekwesili for Mary, and Malala Yousafzai and Michelle Obama for Jane, these young women desire to reach the heights that their role models have attained, and possibly exceed them.
Now that they have reached the zeniths of their career as student politicians, do they intend to enter mainstream politics and replicate the same?
“Yes, I do. I have always aspired to be the Commissioner of Women Affairs in my state, and someday, Minister for Women Affairs,” said Blessing unequivocally.
“Yes, it doesn’t end here. This serves as a platform to see the world and work ahead,” Mary said.
“While my immediate focus is on serving the students of the University of Jos effectively, I remain open to the possibility of participating in mainstream politics in the future,” Jane said, noting that she was looking forward to growing and learning in her leadership journey.
It is not enough to have very few female student leaders now and then, which has an impact on female participation in mainstream politics. There is a need to encourage more female participation in politics on our campuses as well as in the wider society.
Blessing advocates for more support for women in leadership to leave trademarks to inspire more women.
“A woman’s failure is seen as the failure of all women or attributed to her gender, and that makes it harder for other women to succeed. Help them build their self-confidence cos they may have intentions to run but may be lacking the confidence to run,” she advises.
For Mary, she believes that building the capacity of female students will help to prepare them for public service on their campuses.
“Leadership conferences and seminars could be held for female students. This way, they get involved and they understand that politics is a genuine matter of making impact and creating change for others rather than how it is seen from afar,” she said.
Jane is of the opinion that this will require deliberate efforts such as mentorship programs, workshops and training, policy reforms, awareness campaigns and support networks.
“By pairing female students with female alumni or leaders who can guide and inspire them, providing them platforms to develop leadership skills, and ensuring a level-playing ground by creating policies that address discrimination and harassment, we can increase the participation of female students in school politics,” she said.
By increasing female participation in student politics, we will be giving our young women a headstart in leadership training and preparing them for mainstream politics.
We hope that the trickle of women leaders in our student bodies will soon turn into a flood, and that they translate their participation from the campuses to the larger society.
