The Leaders We Elect, The Problems We Inherit: Why are Student Leaders Silent Over Delayed Results?

            John Alabi 

“Education is the best legacy,” so they say. But what happens when access to the rewards of one’s academic labour becomes increasingly difficult for a university undergraduate? Who should be held accountable?

Delayed result uploads are not a new challenge within the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) community. Each semester, students begin with renewed determination to excel and improve their CGPAs. Some remain on campus during breaks, while others spend countless hours studying lecture materials, revising PDFs, and preparing for another academic session.

Yet, after all the sacrifices, many are met with disappointment. The experience becomes a recurring cycle of uncertainty, with one unanswered question leading to another. Students enter examination halls without a clear understanding of their performance in previous courses, forced to predict their academic standing without knowing their strengths, weaknesses, areas requiring improvement, or the adjustments needed for better outcomes.

This challenge has not gone unnoticed within the university community. Students are frustrated, helpless, and increasingly voiceless.

In this continuous cycle of silent struggle, one question remains: Who should amplify the concerns of students? How effective is student representation in addressing critical academic issues affecting the OAU community?

The “My Leader” era has once again arrived. Students are contesting for various positions within the Students’ Union, unveiling manifestos, agendas, and promises in pursuit of office. But how many of these aspirants genuinely understand the everyday realities of students? How many recognise issues that may appear minor but have significant consequences, such as delayed result uploads, and incorporate solutions into their leadership plans?

Rather, many campaigns are dominated by grand promises, some of which appear disconnected from the immediate realities students face. Yet, one of the most important aspects of every student’s academic journey—the CGPA—is often overlooked.

A CGPA is not merely a figure on a transcript. It determines access to scholarships, internships, postgraduate opportunities, and several other life-changing prospects.

It is concerning to witness student representation that lacks consistent communication, accountability, and sensitivity to students’ experiences. There are no regular updates, no visible platforms for meaningful engagement on pressing concerns, and little assurance that students’ voices are being effectively represented.

As a result, countless opportunities have been lost, scholarships forfeited, and academic plans disrupted due to delayed result uploads. Even if only one student has suffered such consequences, student representation deserves scrutiny because it suggests that the trust placed in elected leaders has not been fully justified.

Earlier in the semester, the Students’ Union acknowledged the issue of delayed result uploads and assured students that efforts were being made to engage relevant stakeholders while gathering complaints from affected students. These assurances provided hope for many. However, with only a few weeks remaining before the end of another semester, several results remain unreleased, and students are still waiting—not only for their results but also for updates on the actions promised.

Now, another generation of student politicians is preparing to campaign with ambitious agendas and attractive promises.

As students, we must ask ourselves: Should leadership be judged by the promises made during campaigns or by the actions taken after elections?

Student representation must be questioned when fundamental academic concerns persist without consistent communication or visible progress. Students deserve more than campaign slogans and election-day commitments. They deserve leaders who remain accountable long after the ballots have been counted.