By Ojo Ayoolajesu
Following the inauguration of new executives for the 2025/2026 academic session, POSSPRESS spoke with the President of the National Association of Political Science Students (NAPSS), University of Ibadan, Victor Oladigbo. In this interview, he discusses the priorities of his administration, vacant executive offices, and initiatives planned for NAPSSites.
POSSPRESS: My name is Ayoolajesu, a correspondent from POSSPRESS. The focus of this interview is to define your incoming administration, which will form the basis upon which NAPSSites build their expectations. Let’s begin with a brief introduction of yourself.
VICTOR: I’m Victor Oladigbo, a 400-level Political Science student and the President-Elect of NAPSS, UI.
POSSPRESS: Congratulations on your victory in the last election. How well are you settling into the office?
VICTOR: Thank you. By God’s grace, it’s been going well, particularly settling with the department’s management, as we essentially represent the students.
POSSPRESS: Currently, the only filled offices in the association are President, Vice President, General Secretary, and the Assistant General Secretary. What are the other available offices that require personnel?
VICTOR: Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, Sports Director, and Social Director.
POSSPRESS: You listed some of the positions available for the bye-election. The previous administration still had vacant offices even after a bye-election. If that situation occurs again in your administration, what practical steps will you take to ensure those offices continue to function despite the shortage of personnel?
VICTOR: I do hope that the bye-election suffices to fill the vacant offices. In a situation where that is not the case, I would look to inform the department’s management about the situation because it goes beyond a simple shortage of personnel.
POSSPRESS: In that scenario, management may not necessarily be able to resolve the issue. Have you considered delegations or appointments to fill the void?
VICTOR: I sincerely have. However, beyond simply filling offices, we also want to avoid a situation where any portfolio becomes ineffective. If someone does not show interest during the general or bye-election and is later delegated or appointed, such a person may not fully feel accountable for that role. In essence, I believe it has to do with intentionality.
POSSPRESS: Earlier, you mentioned academics, institutional engagement, and career development as priorities. What specific initiatives or programs will your administration introduce under these areas this session?
VICTOR: Academics: For academics, we intend to improve our approach to writing by organizing a focused academic workshop to help students strengthen that aspect of their academic performance.
Career Development: In terms of career development, we plan to host a seminar where reputable individuals will engage with NAPSSites. The aim is to expose members to practical insights, opportunities, and guidance that will help them navigate life beyond the classroom.
Institutional Engagement: For institutional engagement, we intend to facilitate physical interactions with institutions and organizations whose ideas and structures we study in class. This will allow NAPSSites to experience firsthand how these institutions function.
POSSPRESS: Do you already have specific organizations you intend to work with?
VICTOR: Yes. However, rather than restricting ourselves to a fixed list at the moment, we want to remain flexible as engagement progresses and allow room for adjustments if circumstances change.
POSSPRESS: The previous administration introduced a Freshers Essay Competition. Does your administration plan to continue this initiative?
VICTOR: Yes, we do. In fact, we will soon release updates in line with the farewell speech of the immediate past president about renaming the competition in honour of the late Prof. Aituaje Irene Pogoson. We also intend to seek partners and sponsors to support the initiative.
POSSPRESS: The NAPSS e-library has not been updated for some time. When should NAPSSites expect the updated version?
VICTOR: It is currently being worked on and should be available next week.
POSSPRESS: How does your administration plan to remain accountable and accessible to NAPSSites throughout the session?
VICTOR: Members of the administration will remain reachable through open communication channels. Our phone and WhatsApp lines will always be available so NAPSSites can easily reach us with concerns, ideas, or suggestions. At different times during the session, we will also have brief informal engagements with NAPSSites where they can speak directly with members of the administration. Sometimes the most meaningful feedback comes from simple conversations rather than formal processes.
POSSPRESS: What leadership principle will guide your administration this session?
VICTOR: The act of service.
POSSPRESS: If students are to remember your administration for one major achievement by the end of this session, what would you want that to be?
VICTOR: While we remain committed to academic and intellectual development, we also want Political Science students to see themselves as active contributors to society and nation-building. One of the ideas we are exploring is engaging younger students within Ibadan.Programs like that can position NAPSS, UI not just as an academic association but as a community actively shaping future thinkers and leaders. If students remember this administration as one that connected political science knowledge with real societal impact, then I would consider that a meaningful achievement, with all thanks to God.
POSSPRESS: That will be all. Thank you for your time.
VICTOR: Thank you too. It was nice having this conversation.
