University of Lagos (UNILAG) has officially inaugurated new members of the Students’ Union Executive Council (SUEC), signalling the restoration of student unionism suspended by the management 10 years ago.

The proscription of the Students Union Government (SUG), following the Senate approval on April 24, 2016, was hinged on intense protests by students over their welfare concerns, including water shortages and electricity supply, thereby disrupting peace as well as destruction of property on campus.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, while addressing the student leaders, including Hall Executives, and representatives of the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) programme, at the swearing-in ceremony held at Tayo Aderinokun Hall, commended the student leaders for their willingness to pioneer the return of unionism after its suspension in 2016.

She expressed appreciation to the university’s Senate for approving the reactivation of student union structures and reminded the executives that their mandate extends beyond representing students to serving the entire university community.

“We want to entrust you with the opportunity to leave behind a better institution than you met it. This calls for reflection. It is not fun being a leader, but it is rewarding, and the joy comes in retrospect,” the VC said.

The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Johnson Agunsoye, said that the inauguration represents the foundational phase of a broader process leading into the 2026/2027 academic session.

He lauded the vice chancellor for approving a N5 million take-off grant, provision of temporary office space, and the ongoing refurbishment of an 18-seater bus for use by the University of Lagos Students’ Union (ULSU).

Similarly, he urged the student leaders to uphold the university’s long-standing tradition of excellence in learning and character, emphasising that leadership is anchored on integrity, humility, and responsibility.

He further charged them to prioritise dialogue over confrontation, unity over division, and progress over stagnation.

The ULSU President, Bolaji Akinpelu, who spoke on behalf of the newly inaugurated executives, described the event as a new beginning.

He declared the new ULSU executives as the “Renaissance Administration,” signalling a fresh era of quality and responsive student leadership guided by purpose.

The high point of the ceremony was the administration of the oath of office by Risqiat Usman of the university’s legal unit.