Sustaining Student-led Societies

By Arthur Ogbedebor, Chiedozie Ntiaju, Olufisayo Sorungbe, Oluwaseun Ayenuro and Adetutu Adeniji

Student life extends beyond academics; it’s also about being part of something bigger. Student-led societies are vital in shaping one’s personal growth at the University of Lagos. These organisations foster leadership, collaboration, and community engagement while providing a platform for students to express themselves.

We will delve into seven student-led societies, gaining insights into their organisational impacts.

Lagos Model United Nations (LMUN)

This is a community of young people passionate about international relations and eager to make a difference. LMUN was established in 2016 to provide a platform for young people to engage in global discussions and develop skills such as public speaking, diplomacy and critical thinking.

The secretary general of LMUN, Mmesoma Okonkwo, a 500-level student from the Faculty of Law, said: “I feel like the drive to remain consistent in what we do sets LMUN apart.”

Okonkwo hopes to expand LMUN beyond the University of Lagos during her tenure.

The association also partners with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) NGOs to assist in outreach programs. It is domiciled in the Faculty of Law and welcomes all students at the University of Lagos and beyond.

Processor Ayodele Awojobi Design Competition (PAADC)

PAADC shines as a model of student-led innovation, currently led by Nusaybah Fuad-Gafar, a final-year Metallurgical and Materials Engineering student, with this year’s competition themed “Creative Disruption: The Future of Innovation.”

She emphasised the importance of addressing real-world problems through creativity. The competition inspired students to think outside the box, developing solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across five sectors: Agriculture, Education, Environmental Sustainability, Essential Services, and Healthcare.

“The competition is open to everybody. We have tapped into all the faculties in school,” she mentioned.

The shift to virtual classes has resulted in virtually holding the grand finale.  

“PAADC remains committed to maintaining high standards and adaptability, whether virtually or physically,” she shared.

UNILAG Tax Club

The UNILAG tax club is a fantastic initiative set up in 2005 to enhance tax education, networking opportunities, and skills development.

The current president is Jesutofunmi Bola-Rotimi, a 500l student at the Faculty of Law, UNILAG. She spoke about how she and her team sustain the club.

 “I have a brilliant set of people who bring the work to light because if you have a president without a team, nothing gets done.”

The tax club hold bi-weekly meetings and posts educational content on social media. She also clarified that Tax club membership is open to everyone. 

UNILAG Press Club

This association is a second home to all students intent on honing their writing skills, particularly in media and journalism. 

Led by Temiloluwa Erinle, a 400-level student of Mathematics, the association boasts members from diverse departments, such as English, Creative Arts, Philosophy, and Mass Communication. 

“The desire to develop my amateur writing skills at the time drew me to Press Club,” he expressed. 

The Press Club represents the university community’s press body. The association is committed to ethical journalism and responsible reporting. In addition to journalism, the club’s activities include content creation and other forms of artistic expression.

AISEC

Founded in 1948, AISEC is the largest youth organisation in the world. It unites young leaders aged 18-30 from over 100 countries and focuses on leadership and cultural exchange. 

Oladayo Joda, the Lagos chapter president and a recent UNILAG geophysics graduate, explained that the organisation’s sustainability depends on its innovative recruitment strategies and community engagement.

 “In our previous recruitment campaign, we attached chocolates to application QR codes. This year, we have planned a robust online campaign to adapt to the current educational landscape,” he shared.

Furthermore, AISEC’s leadership development model ensures members gain valuable skills while contributing to the community. 

He advised students looking forward to joining the organisation to research and be open-minded.

International Students Affairs Association (IASA)

Baki Adams, a 400-level political science student, is the president of the International Affairs Student Association.

The association aims to create future diplomats by establishing contacts and partnerships with embassies, the United Nations, and consul generals to promote diplomacy. It is also noteworthy that they replicate the general assembly at the United Nations, thereby helping students develop skills like communication, research and negotiation.

Adams shared that they will expand the association’s membership in this session.

Google Developer Student Club, UNILAG(GDSC)

It is a student club that equips students with essential technical and soft skills to thrive in the 21^st century.

The team lead, Olayinka Atobiloye, a 500-level Computer Engineering, shared her passion for empowering students with the skills required to succeed in the tech industry. Their activities include boot camps, hackathons, mentorship programs, workshops, and events, contributing to skill development and practical application.

Atobiloye stressed the importance of student participation across different faculties, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in the tech industry.