Student leaders at the University of Lagos, UNILAG have been urged to strengthen their advocacy skills, manage union finances responsibly and comply with legal procedures to improve representation and accountability on campus.
The call featured during the university’s four-day Annual Student Leaders’ Retreat at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where participants received training on civic engagement, financial literacy, student union law, ethical leadership and mental well-being.
The retreat, held from October 22 to 25, 2026, was organised under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, to prepare student representatives for the responsibilities of leadership and decision-making.
Addressing participants, Ogunsola urged them to lead with integrity and purpose, reminding them that their decisions carry consequences for the students they represent.
The Executive Director of Enough is Enough Nigeria, Comrade Yemi Adamolekun, challenged the participants to use evidence-based advocacy, strategic dialogue and coalition-building to influence institutional decisions.
Drawing on The Dialogue Toolkit: Six Power Tactics, she advised student leaders to document meetings and agreements, submit clear written demands, build alliances and engage decision-makers through appropriate channels.
She said effective advocacy required strategic communication and proper documentation rather than relying solely on complaints to secure institutional change.
Financial responsibility was another major focus, with Praise Ifeakor, founder of Student Paddy and Unispend, urging participants to develop sound spending habits, assess recurring financial commitments and make informed financial decisions.
He also highlighted entrepreneurship as a means of addressing everyday challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions.
Professor Adewale Olawoyin of UNILAG’s Faculty of Law, who chairs the Students’ Union Constitution Review Committee, examined the legal responsibilities of student representatives, stressing the need to comply with applicable laws, the university’s regulations and the union’s constitution.
He warned against unauthorised contracts, improper commitments of union funds and financial obligations undertaken without due approval.
The session also addressed students’ rights to fair hearing, conflicts of interest, bribery, abuse of office, cyberbullying and responsible social media use. Participants were encouraged to respect due process and ensure that disciplinary matters were handled by the appropriate authorities.
The university’s Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Muyiwa Johnson Agunsoye, also contributed to discussions on student leadership and union administration.
Beyond governance and financial management, the retreat challenged participants to develop practical projects that address campus problems.
Dr Lepan Tyoden, Director of Operations at the International Leadership Foundation and a faculty member of the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute, urged student leaders to turn ideas into sustainable initiatives with clear objectives, defined responsibilities and measurable outcomes.
Mental health practitioner Uche Aderibigbe also highlighted the importance of personal well-being, self-awareness and managing the pressures of balancing academic work with leadership responsibilities.
Other sessions featured the Deputy Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute, Professor Samuel Adedeji Daramola, who discussed leadership development, mediation, peacebuilding and diversity management.
A former UNILAG Students’ Union president, Bolaji Akinpelu, also shared lessons from his leadership experience, highlighting the challenges of managing competing expectations and navigating institutional demands.
The retreat followed the participation of an earlier cohort of UNILAG student leaders at the leadership institute in 2025, marking the university’s second consecutive year of engagement with the programme.