Unical’s First Female SUG President Appoints 50 Aides

Blessing Alims, the newly elected first female Student Union Government (SUG) President at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), has garnered national attention for appointing a sizeable team of 50 aides.

This decision has sparked mixed reactions across social media platforms, as Nigerians reacted to the development negatively, with many arguing that she has taken after the country’s complex leadership structure of running over-bloated cabinet members, with some questioning the necessity of such a large team.

However, the newly appointed Chief Press Secretary of the Student Union body has issued a statement explaining the president’s decision “In the statement titled, ‘Addressing concerns on appointment,’ she said, “The Students’ Union Government is tasked with ensuring the welfare and progress of our entire university community. Just as a single tree does not make a forest, effective governance for a student body of over 42,000 requires a collaborative effort. It is essential to have a strong and diverse team to implement our initiatives successfully.

“With over 20 faculties and over 110 departments, the University of Calabar is a complex institution.

The statement further read “They are designed to foster career development, instilling a sense of duty and motivation in the appointees. Each aide underwent a rigorous screening process by the Senate Committee, took an Oath of Office, and is eager to contribute their skills and creativity to the administration.”

 It remains to be seen how this approach will impact the efficacy of the SUG administration and student life at UNICAL.

The statement also stated that the appointees were deserving of such appointments as they have mostly invested their time volunteering for both local and international humanitarian courses which has also earned some of them recognitions and accolades, while assuring that it all in the best interests of the welfare of Unical student’s

This development comes amidst growing attention towards student union leadership across Nigeria. Further research is needed to explore the evolving role of SUG presidents and their impact on student activism and university governance on a national scale.

Comrade Blessing Alim a student of Peace and Conflict Resolution at the Department of Political Science, was elected as the first female president of the Student’s Union on the 14^th of June, 2024.