In a historic and technologically driven student election, Raji Abdul-Samad Olamilekan has emerged as the newly elected President of the Kwara State University (KWASU) Student Union Government (SUG) for the 2024/2025 academic session. The keenly observed election, conducted via the university’s secure e-voting platform, recorded one of the highest levels of student participation in the institution’s history.
According to an official release jointly signed by the Chairman of the Students’ Union Electoral Committee, Ibrahim Yemi Abdulazeez, and the General Secretary, Halimat Anuoluwapo Ifamuyiwa, Raji Abdul-Samad secured a landslide victory with 4,192 votes, far ahead of his closest contenders Mahmoud Adesina Olubori who garnered 1,902 votes, and Yahya Temitope Lambe, who polled just 95 votes.
The margin of victory and the transparency of the process have been widely celebrated by students, staff, and observers. Many noted that the e-voting system not only reduced electoral malpractice but also enhanced participation, allowing students to cast their votes from any location using verified university login credentials.
Other key winners in the SUG election include Olajubu Oluwabusayomi Deborah as Vice President, Feranmi Joseph Aremu as General Secretary, Abdulrasheed Abdulwahab as Assistant General Secretary, and Ajisomo Abdulwaliyuu Olasunkanmi as Treasurer. Their victories are seen as part of a new generation of leaders ready to push for improved student welfare and representation.
The election also saw the emergence of Iliyas Muhammad Awwal Afolabi as Auditor and Muhammed Habibullah Gbolahan as Financial Secretary, both of whom ran on platforms focused on financial transparency and accountability within the student union’s operations. Their manifestos resonated strongly with students demanding greater openness in the management of union funds.
Victor Olayinka Otitodun was voted in as the Public Relations Officer (PRO), a role critical for bridging communication between the union and the student body. Meanwhile, Abdulazeez Usman Isiaq and Kewulere Mustapha Adetayo were elected Welfare Directors I and II, respectively positions expected to tackle pressing issues such as accommodation challenges, food pricing, and healthcare access.
Cultural and recreational leadership was handed to Benita Ifunaya Frank as Social Director I and Abdulfatai Abdulrahman Olamilekan as Social Director II. In the same vein, Aiyenigba Inioluwa Peter emerged as the Sports Director, promising to revive campus sporting events and inter-faculty competitions that have dwindled in recent years.
The Electoral Committee lauded the peaceful conduct of the entire process, describing it as “transparent, credible, and compliant with university electoral guidelines.” The committee also highlighted the courage and resilience of the aspirants and praised the general student population for their maturity throughout the campaign and voting phases.
In their congratulatory remarks, the committee urged the newly elected executives to uphold the trust placed in them by students. “You are not just elected to lead but to serve with integrity, fairness, and deep responsibility. We hope your administration will be inclusive and responsive to the concerns of all KWASU students,” the statement read.
Students across departments have welcomed the outcome with enthusiasm, calling it a step forward for digital democracy within higher education. Many applauded the ease and accessibility of the voting process, describing it as a model that should be replicated across other Nigerian universities to minimize election-related tensions and logistical setbacks.
As Raji Abdul-Samad Olamilekan prepares to assume office, expectations are already high. With a strong mandate and a digitally empowered student body, his administration is expected to prioritize academic welfare, campus security, better hostel conditions, and stronger student-staff engagement. All eyes are now on KWASU’s new SUG leadership as they begin a new chapter in campus governance.
