UI students’ council to host summit on service driven leadership

By Benson Daniel

The University of Ibadan Students’ Representative Council is set to host a leadership summit aimed at encouraging young Nigerians to embrace public service, accountability and responsible leadership.

The Odidiomo Students’ Legislative Summit, scheduled for September 22 and 23, 2026, will bring together students, young leaders, student representatives, public affairs enthusiasts and other stakeholders for discussions on leadership and democratic participation.

The summit is being organised under the theme, “The Service Paradigm: Transforming Mindset for Service Driven Leadership in Nigeria,” with a focus on changing perceptions of leadership from a position of privilege to an opportunity to serve and create meaningful impact.

The programme is being organised under the leadership of the Speaker of the students’ council, Rt. Hon. John Oludele, and is held in honour of Hon. Stanley Adedeji Dhkirullah Olajide, popularly known as Odidiomo, a member of the House of Representatives and Allied Peoples Movement candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District.

Organisers said the summit is designed to create space for intellectual engagement on the responsibilities attached to leadership and the role young people can play in strengthening democratic governance.

The organisers believe that effective leadership requires more than occupying a position of authority. They want participants to examine the importance of competence, integrity, accountability and a commitment to the welfare of citizens.

The summit will also focus on legislative responsibilities and democratic representation, giving students an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how public institutions operate and how citizens can participate meaningfully in the democratic process.

A major objective of the event is to encourage young people to view leadership as a responsibility rather than a route to personal influence or privilege.

The organisers are expected to use the gathering to facilitate dialogue and mentorship between students and people with experience in public service and democratic representation.

For students who may eventually seek elective or appointed positions, the organisers say exposure to practical discussions around governance can help shape a stronger understanding of public responsibility.

The summit also comes at a time when young Nigerians are demanding greater accountability and more effective leadership across different sectors of society. Discussions around competence, transparency and responsible governance have increasingly become central to conversations about Nigeria’s future.

Beyond the formal sessions, the event is expected to provide an avenue for participants to exchange ideas and consider practical ways of applying service oriented leadership within their communities and institutions.

The students’ council hopes the initiative will encourage participants to look beyond leadership as a means of acquiring power and instead see it as an avenue for solving problems, creating opportunities and improving the lives of others.

The event will also highlight the potential of student representatives as training grounds for future public leaders. By engaging with legislative processes and governance issues at the university level, students can develop experience in debate, representation, accountability and policy discussions.

As preparations continue, further details on the venue, speakers and programme of activities are expected to be announced.

The organisers say the ultimate goal is to inspire a generation of young Nigerians who understand that sustainable national development depends on leaders who are willing to listen, accept responsibility and place the public interest ahead of personal ambition.