The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, has reaffirmed the University’s commitment to responsible and ethical student leadership, while formally unveiling plans for the revival of the Students’ Union.
Professor Ogunsola made this known on Monday, February 2, 2026, during the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected Faculty and Departmental executives for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The ceremony, held at the Faculty of Social Sciences Lecture Theatre, attracted members of the University Management, administrative staff, student leaders, and invited guests, creating an atmosphere of optimism and renewed institutional confidence.
In her address, the Vice-Chancellor described leadership as a process of guiding and motivating people towards a shared vision, stressing that effective leadership inspires voluntary followership through responsibility and integrity rather than coercion.
On student engagement and advocacy, she urged the executives to adopt pragmatic and thoughtful approaches, emphasizing that sustainable solutions are achieved through dialogue and critical thinking rather than violence. She charged the newly inaugurated executives to be law-abiding, ethical, and exemplary in conduct, noting that student leadership remains a vital component of the university system when properly guided.
Professor Ogunsola also addressed pressing student welfare concerns, particularly the challenge of accommodation within the University. She described the situation as acute, attributing it to rising costs and infrastructural constraints.
While noting that the provision of hostel accommodation is not a statutory responsibility of universities, she assured students that “management is making concerted efforts to expand hostel capacity in the near future”. Condemning racketeering and the illegal sale of bed spaces, the Vice-Chancellor warned that anyone found engaging in such practices would face appropriate sanctions.
A major highlight of her address was a detailed briefing on plans for the revival of the Students’ Union. Acknowledging the historical challenges that led to its suspension, Professor Ogunsola explained that past incidents of unrest informed the decision to proscribe the Students’ Union over a decade ago. She stated that the current administration is deliberately laying the groundwork for a structured return of student unionism under a redefined framework anchored on clear regulations, institutional oversight, and responsible engagement.
According to her, the revived Students’ Union will operate under a centralized structure to coordinate student leadership activities across faculties and departments, a move aimed at fostering unity, reducing fragmentation, and rebuilding trust between students and University Management.
Earlier in his remarks, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Musa Obalola, emphasized the importance of leadership founded on service, discipline, and accountability. In what marked his final address as DSA, he urged the executives to see their positions as platforms for service rather than personal gain, while stressing the importance of dialogue and respect for constituted authority.
The oath of office was administered by Barrister (Mrs.) Risqiat Usman of the University’s Legal Unit, who reminded the executives of the legal and moral responsibilities attached to their positions.
Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in executives, the President of the Faculty of Mass Communication, Ayomide Adegboro, expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and members of the University Management for their support, assuring them of the executives’ commitment to lawful, responsible, and collaborative leadership in pursuit of institutional excellence.
Beyond a routine inauguration, the event signaled a significant turning point in UNILAG’s student governance structure, reflecting lessons from the past and a cautious yet hopeful approach to the future under the leadership of Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS .
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Ayo Oloyede
