Historic Election at University of Abuja
Eyamu Oghenenyerovwo Peculiar, a 300-level student in the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, has been elected the first female president of the University of Abuja Students' Union Government (SUG). The election, held for the 2025/2026 academic session, was conducted through the institution's digital voting platform, marking a new chapter in student leadership at the university.
The university announced Peculiar's victory on its official social media account, stating that she contested under the campaign slogan 'Everything Peculiar, Nothing Is Ordinary.' Her election has been widely celebrated as a milestone for gender equality in student politics.
Peculiar's Reaction and Vision
In her first statement after the victory, Peculiar expressed gratitude to God and to the students who supported her. She said: 'I feel grateful to God and sincerely thankful to every student who believed in my vision. Being the first elected female SUG President is not just a personal achievement; it is a victory for every young woman who has dared to dream and for every student who believes leadership should be based on competence, character and service, not gender.'
Peculiar emphasized that her win reflects the students' confidence in leadership founded on ability and commitment rather than gender. She pledged to serve with integrity and to uphold the values of the student body.
University's Congratulations and Expectations
The University of Abuja congratulated the president-elect and wished her a successful tenure as she prepares to lead the Students' Union Government during the 2025/2026 academic session. Her emergence is expected to inspire greater female participation in student politics, opening a new chapter in the institution's history of student leadership.
This historic election comes amid other developments in Nigerian university student politics. Earlier, the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) elected new SUG leaders, with Mr. Ajayi Olusegun Samuel emerging as president through an online election observed by university officials.
Broader Context of Student Elections
At FUOYE, the election collation centre was set up at Ado-Ekiti, serving as the Situation Room. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Tajudeen Opoola, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Partnerships, Research, Innovation and Linkages) acted as observers. In a separate incident, FUOYE suspended two students, Alao Iyanuoluwa Odunayo and Olawale Abiodun Samuel, pending an investigation into allegations of cyberbullying and circulation of private material related to former SUG President James Iyanuoluwa Adio.
The University of Abuja's historic election highlights a growing trend of digital voting in student elections and the increasing role of women in leadership positions across Nigerian higher education institutions.
