₦airaland Forum

Leaders of tomorrow?

A wave of reactions has trailed the recently released price list for Students’ Union Government (SUG) nomination forms at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, as students express concern over what many have described as “outrageous” costs.

According to an official memo from the institution’s electoral commission, the price for the presidential form stands at ₦55,000, while other key positions such as Vice President and Secretary General go for ₦50,000 each. Even positions considered less competitive, like Director roles, are pegged at ₦30,000—figures that have sparked widespread debate among the student body.

Many students argue that these prices are not only exclusionary but also reflect a growing trend where student politics is becoming increasingly monetized, limiting participation to only those who can afford it.

Interestingly, observers have begun to draw parallels between the rising cost of SUG forms and the broader economic realities in Nigeria. Under the current administration led by the All Progressives Congress (APC), inflation has significantly impacted the cost of living, with prices of goods and services steadily increasing across the board.

Critics argue that the situation within the university mirrors the national economy—where inflation and high costs have made basic opportunities feel like luxury. Just as Nigerians grapple with rising fuel prices, food inflation, and declining purchasing power, students now face a similar challenge within their own microcosm: paying a premium to participate in leadership.

“This is no longer student representation; it’s turning into an investment,” one student remarked, hinting at fears that those who spend heavily to secure positions may feel pressured to “recover” their expenses once in office.

As conversations continue, the development raises important questions about accessibility, fairness, and whether student leadership is gradually drifting away from its core purpose—serving the collective interest of students.

In a time when economic hardship defines everyday life, the situation serves as yet another reminder that the ripple effects of Nigeria’s economic climate are being felt even in its universities—where the leaders of tomorrow are expected to emerge.

Evil leaders of today intensifying future calamities.

Corrupt members (academic staff) of the university created the platform for the unhealthy competition among students.

Them Dey learn from our political parties.. na who get money to buy form and bribe votes Dey win elections, no be who Dey competent

😢😢😢


There is one guy like that on my street always driving recklessly with SUG bus... Most of these guys are cultists who eventually join politics and mess up the nation

How much do u think they should sell it op?

I was expecting to see 1m to be honest.

E even dey very cheap for a presidential election.

gsparks01:
I was expecting to see 1m to be honest.

same. I was expecting some outrageous price but this is way too ok.

If we are being honest this is not too high, I was expecting to see like 500K or something

It should have been 500 naira?

If the SU is charging students student union due, then it does not make sense.

If the SU is not charging students union due, then yeah, that's the only time they can make money (It's the same reason why political parties charge highly for forms...most party members do not pay dues.).

30k to 55k

This is not too much.

Chai, l visited Ekpoma decades ago, l enjoyed their food ooooooooo ogbono soup, black soup, GT restaurant, and several other mama put joint, l also visited THE UNIVERSITY, kudos to Ambrose Alli 😃

The leaders of tommorow.... today's leaders are Angels to the ones tommorow

money they'll collect from state Gov + SUG Levy 💯

ParrotUpdate:
Leaders of tomorrow?

A wave of reactions has trailed the recently released price list for Students’ Union Government (SUG) nomination forms at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, as students express concern over what many have described as “outrageous” costs.

According to an official memo from the institution’s electoral commission, the price for the presidential form stands at ₦55,000, while other key positions such as Vice President and Secretary General go for ₦50,000 each. Even positions considered less competitive, like Director roles, are pegged at ₦30,000—figures that have sparked widespread debate among the student body.

Many students argue that these prices are not only exclusionary but also reflect a growing trend where student politics is becoming increasingly monetized, limiting participation to only those who can afford it.

Interestingly, observers have begun to draw parallels between the rising cost of SUG forms and the broader economic realities in Nigeria. Under the current administration led by the All Progressives Congress (APC), inflation has significantly impacted the cost of living, with prices of goods and services steadily increasing across the board.

Critics argue that the situation within the university mirrors the national economy—where inflation and high costs have made basic opportunities feel like luxury. Just as Nigerians grapple with rising fuel prices, food inflation, and declining purchasing power, students now face a similar challenge within their own microcosm: paying a premium to participate in leadership.

“This is no longer student representation; it’s turning into an investment,” one student remarked, hinting at fears that those who spend heavily to secure positions may feel pressured to “recover” their expenses once in office.

As conversations continue, the development raises important questions about accessibility, fairness, and whether student leadership is gradually drifting away from its core purpose—serving the collective interest of students.

In a time when economic hardship defines everyday life, the situation serves as yet another reminder that the ripple effects of Nigeria’s economic climate are being felt even in its universities—where the leaders of tomorrow are expected to emerge.

2015 when I contested as SUG Social Director, I bought my form for ₦25,000
Then you will sign it at the Court, that's money.

2 lectures will sign, you must buy malt.

CSO will sign and that is a must that you must pay or screen out.

What I see is that, the price tag will discourage a lot of people.

Because the School Politics involves a lot of money, purchasing form is the least.

Bluntguy:
E even dey very cheap for a presidential election.

SUG president, for my school here na 25k for the president, 15k for the directors.

That price doesn’t look expensive to me. An average student in Nigerian University can afford such an amount effortlessly.

I expected to see something way higher than that😀

AngelicBeing:
Chai, l visited Ekpoma decades ago, l enjoyed their food ooooooooo ogbono soup, black soup, GT restaurant, and several other mama put joint, l also visited THE UNIVERSITY, kudos to Ambrose Alli 😃

I was in Ekpoma 2 years ago. Very lovely and welcoming people.
Tried the popular black soup for the first time. Got back to Lagos and began craving it again.

Is expensive, for my school FPNO na 25k for presidential candidates and 15k for director.
Maybe is because they're state own institution, even though........

It's very small money, now.

Very affordable for average students in Uni...
Money they spent on shayo, is way more than 55k

Forget about the cost and look at the leaders. A good leader will always be worth it despite the cost. Only fools are expecting to have good leaders without costing them anything. A price must be paid for the right thing. Good things are cheap anybody tell u otherwise is playing u

You no get 50k to buy form.wetin you wan go do leading people. Put yourself in order till you get 50 first or una want make everything be free?..

This generation too like okpor!

PDPdestroyer:
It should have been 500 naira?

It ought be free. People don't pay to be nominated for Nobel Prize for example

I thought the price of the form is above ₦100k not knowing is mere ₦55k.

AKWATGOLD1:
I thought the price of the form is above ₦100k not knowing is mere ₦55k.

They want if free ni so that everyone can contest. Smh

How much is good enough though? Just curious.
In these days of crowdfunding, this shouldn't stop a really popular candidate IF he/she can't afford it. A person aspiring for position must count the cost, no be only dream.

MrMcJay:
I was in Ekpoma 2 years ago. Very lovely and welcoming people.
Tried the popular black soup for the first time. Got back to Lagos and began craving it again.

Yeah, Ekpoma is a nice place, anytime I visit Edo State, na their food l dey crave for ooooooooo, same thing with Benin , Dem Sabi cook good organic home food ooooooooo, anytime l enter naija, l go enter Edo State to see all my friends and from their sample different cuisines again

In our time, it was free. See wetin our corrupt leaders dem dey teach this generation. Smh

Nothing wrong with these fees.

It’s considerate.

QuinQ:
It ought be free. People don't pay to be nominated for Nobel Prize for example

Nobel prize is not a contest. If it was Donald Trump would have won.