From Rejection to Victory: Abiodun Olorunshola Mary's Journey to Becoming FUOYE's First Female SUG President

Abiodun Olorunshola Mary, the first female President of the Student Union Government (SUG) at Federal University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), has shared her remarkable journey and aspirations in an exclusive interview with PUNCH. Her historic achievement marks a significant milestone for the university and the region.

Abiodun Olorunshola hails from Ijumu Local Government Area in Kogi State. Born in Abuja and raised in Kwara State, she has always harbored a passion for leadership. Her early education was completed at Rhema Chapel Basic Nursery and Primary School and Federal Government College, Ilorin, where she finished her secondary education in 2019. That same year, she gained admission into FUOYE.

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Abiodun's involvement in student politics began in her first year at FUOYE. She participated in various social events, including the Mr. and Mrs. Fresher contest, where she was a runner-up. By her second year, she had become the Assistant General Secretary of her faculty and later the Acting President. In her third year, she served as the Vice President of her faculty. Her dedication continued into her fourth year, where she was the Special Advisor to the SUG Vice President on Academic Affairs and the Vice President of the FUOYE Chapter of the National Female Student Association of Nigeria.

Now the SUG President-Elect, Abiodun reflects on her journey with pride. "It’s emotional for me, but it’s exciting, and I’m grateful for this," she said. Her campaign was driven by a desire to highlight the potential of female leaders and to inspire others to pursue their ambitions regardless of gender.

Abiodun's passion for leadership stems from her childhood. She has always been fascinated by political leadership and was determined to make an impact. "What prompted me was the desire to see females lead. I’m not a feminist, but I am concerned about the perception of females as weaker vessels," she explained. Her determination and belief in her capabilities propelled her to run for the SUG presidency.

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Running for SUG President was not without its challenges. Abiodun faced gender bias and political rejection. "When approaching students for campaign purposes, many showed disinterest simply because I am female," she recounted. Additionally, the dual-campus system of FUOYE posed logistical challenges, requiring significant travel and accommodation costs. Despite these obstacles, Abiodun's perseverance and strategic campaigning led to her historic win.

As SUG President, Abiodun plans to mentor both female and male students, fostering leadership in various fields beyond politics. She aims to initiate a mentorship program involving influential speakers from diverse industries to inspire and guide students. "Many students have innovative business ideas, and during our conferences, we will discuss how they can be realised," she noted.

Abiodun's primary objectives include addressing transportation and internet connectivity issues at FUOYE. She aims to improve the poorly organised transportation system and enhance internet services, which currently hinder students' academic and daily activities. Additionally, she plans to foster unity through sports and entertainment and advocate for better medical and mental health facilities for students.

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Abiodun's leadership vision extends to collaborating with state and federal governments to address infrastructure and welfare issues. She plans to bring serious student concerns to the attention of relevant authorities and work towards tangible solutions. "We need infrastructure that can help foster unity. For example, having a bus service readily available would enable students to commute easily between campuses," she emphasized.

Abiodun Olorunshola Mary's journey to becoming the first female SUG President at FUOYE is a testament to her resilience, dedication, and vision for a more inclusive and empowered student body. Her leadership promises to bring positive changes and inspire future generations of student leaders.