The last NAPSS UI Senate sitting was not just another sitting. It was a gathering that exposed a decay in the association. More importantly, it forced an uncomfortable conversation. For anyone who was paying attention, one question surfaced by the end of the sitting: Are we beginning to normalise failure in leadership within NAPSS UI?
The Vice President’s Show
The NAPSS Vice President, Ogubere Ramadiyat, was invited to the floor of the house to present her office’s budget and give a report on the mentorship programme. To the surprise of everyone in the building, she appeared before the house without any form of documentation. There was no hard copy or soft copy of her report. The Vice President stepped forward and attempted to freestyle her report before a house of elected senators. What do you even call that? Confidence? Arrogance? Or Cluelessness?
This display of ineptitude would have been somewhat understandable if the VP had at least been doing the bare minimum her office requires. But that is not the case.
The mentorship programme, for the second year running, is being mishandled. The programme exists for a reason. It is meant to help freshers settle in during the early weeks of resumption, when everything is still confusing. When students are trying to understand the department, the system, and even basic things like where offices are or how registration works. This is the primary reason the mentorship program exist.
The second batch of the mentorship list was released last week. That is, the Seventh weeks into the semester! At this point, the programme has already missed its purpose. The students who needed help have either figured things out themselves, relied on friends, or found informal guidance elsewhere. What needs to be asked at this point is: Does the VP actually understand what the programme is meant to achieve?
Then there is the freshers’ welcome, another responsibility that falls within the Vice President’s office. That event also dragged into the seventh week. And in the end, it was the President who had to step in and carry the burden.
Then the General Secretary Conduct
If the Vice President’s conduct showed unpreparedness, the General Secretary’s conduct showed something worse, cluelessness. At the same Senate sitting, the General Secretary, Sunday Oluwanifesimi, sat with earphones in his ears while proceedings were ongoing. Now pause there for a second. The person whose job is to listen, document, and communicate the decisions of the association was sat in a senate sitting with headphones plugged into his ears . And it even gets worse. When confronted with his record of absenteeism, failure to notify the house of necessary information, and failure to keep the press informed, the General Secretary offered apologies. Repeated apologies. Without genuine explanation, without a corrective plan, or any form of accountability.
Oh yes, he did give an explanation. NAPSS UI general secretary cited lack of mobile data as one of the reasons he is unable to carry out his duties. This is the explanation offered by the General Secretary of a university department association in 2026.
The Senate Looked Away
As concerning as the executive’s performance is, the Senate’s response might be even more worrying. A motion for impeachment of both the Vice President and the General Secretary was raised by the Chief Whip, Senator Borere of the 400-level constituency, on grounds of neglect of duty. It was the right move.
The Senate had a chance to take a stand and set a standard. To send a message that leadership is not just about occupying office. The senate however voted against the motion by a simple majority. It’s imperative to note that institutions are not judged only by how they function when things are smooth, but by how they respond when things go wrong. By rejecting that motion, the Senate chose the easy route.
To be clear, the Senate did impose a ₦5,000 fine on both the Vice President and the General Secretary. But in the context of the issues raised, that response felt minimal.
It is also telling that the Senate did not sanction the General Secretary separately for wearing earphones during proceedings. A member of the house did draw attention to the General Secretary’s use of earphones. However, that was where it ended. No sanction followed, and the matter was allowed to pass without further action.
A Pattern, Not an Isolated Case
What is happening now is not entirely new. The last administration under Adeoti Adebare showed similar signs. The President carried most of the workload while other executives remained largely invisible. What once seemed like an exception is now beginning to look like a pattern.
But it was not always like this. As recently as the 2023/2024 session under Adewunmi Samuel (African Boy), the executive functioned as a team. The Vice President understood her duties. The Sports Director was active. The PRO’s voice was heard. The Social Director showed up. Responsibilities were shared. And it showed in the administration.
Where This Leaves NAPSS UI
The events of the last Senate sitting should not be dismissed as a mere drama or a one-off. They are warning signs. The association cannot afford to become a one-man mopol, where only the President functions. That path leads to the personification of leadership, and ultimately, the weakening of the institution.
The upcoming bye-election now becomes even more important. It is an opportunity to reset. To remind anyone seeking office that leadership is responsibility. And it requires more than just showing up. Because if this continues, then “one man mopol” will no longer be a metaphor. It will simply become the reality of how NAPSS UI is run.
