EDITORIAL: Redefining Students Leadership in Nigerian Universities

 


by Emmanuel Akinwale

Student Leadership in Nigeria serves as a means for students from various higher education

institutions to voice their opinions. These leadership positions include those within the

Student Union Government (SUG), College or Faculty Organizations, along with

departmental groups across numerous universities, polytechnic institutes,

teacher training colleges, and other higher education institutions in Nigeria. 


The main goal of student leadership is to improve well-being and safeguard the interests of its members. In the past, student organizations and unions commanded significant respect from those in authority and academic administrations. This happened because their leaders maintained positive beliefs and considered their students' needs. 


It has been noted that current student leadership greatly differs from that which existed many years ago. At present, it is evident that the leadership of various student organizations and unions is no longer exclusively centered on the needs of their members. It can be deduced that student leaders at present seek roles for personal gain while neglecting the reasons for their selection. 


Consequently, this has effectively formed an extensive definition or perspective of student leaders as driven by personal goals rather than the shared aims of the organizations or groups they represent. However, it is crucial to change this story by training and nurturing leaders who will implement positive transformations wherever they are located. 


 Reviving this perception is achievable if Student leaders aim to create positive impacts in any roles they take on themselves. Certainly, this can be achieved via education. In particular, this might be via leadership training, workshops, conventions, forums, gatherings, tailored leadership development workshops. This is due to the fact that not every person has the abilities to guide, inspire or sway others, while individuals with such abilities may lack the knowledge of how to do so, when and where to utilize them in guiding others. 


Reimagining Student Leadership for Beneficial Outcomes 


Student Leadership might be redefined, leading to beneficial effects in multiple student associations and unions when their leaders take initiative. Active student leadership consists of altruistic student leaders united by a shared goal of serving fellow students tirelessly, guaranteeing their public well-being and completing tasks correctly and promptly to attain overall success and objectives of the organization. This group of leaders doesn't wait for events to unfold; rather, they create Positive events and stop negative ones from taking place within their boundaries. Therefore, Student leadership can be redefined for beneficial effects through the following methods; 


1. Positive Reorientation Towards Leadership: Nigerian students, particularly student leaders, must realize that they require training in both “character” and “learning,” as leadership involves elements of both. They are educated not just for the future but also for the present to offer positive impacts to society by delivering solutions to different issues. Thus, leadership summits, workshops, and training sessions are essential for developing the forthcoming group of proactive leaders. 


2. Inculcating the Spirit of Selfless Service: Student leaders and those who wish to lead should develop a mindset of altruistic service, as genuine leadership revolves around selfless contributions, and being called to lead is fundamentally a call to serve others. They need to realize that by fostering creativity, innovation, and sharing uplifting ideas, an effective student leadership can be attained. Leaders must steer clear of any traits related to selfishness and self-absorption, prioritizing instead the collective well-being of the students. 


3. Ensure Students Welfare: The primary concern of student leaders should be the essential welfare of the students. Student Leaders ought to unite and seek potential solutions to the various challenges facing students, particularly those related to academics and welfare concerns. Rather than shying away from basic responsibilities that help facilitate students’ welfare because they don’t want to step on toes.

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