JUST IN: ESUT Inaugurates New SUG Leadership as VC Charges Executives to Champion Peace, Integrity and Responsible Unionism

The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) has ushered in a new era of student leadership with the official inauguration of the newly elected Students' Union Government (SUG) executives, led by Comrade Chidera Nwobodo.

The swearing-in ceremony, held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah Multipurpose Auditorium, brought together principal officers of the University, members of the Governing Council, staff, students, and other stakeholders in what was described as a defining moment in ESUT's democratic journey.

Addressing the newly inaugurated executives, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, reaffirmed the University's unwavering support for the new administration while urging the student leaders to embrace leadership rooted in dedication, integrity, accountability, and service.

Professor Okolie emphasized that the true essence of student unionism is to foster peace, constructive engagement, and strategic partnership with the University Management rather than unnecessary confrontation. According to him, sustainable progress can only be achieved when students and management work together with mutual respect and shared purpose.

The Vice-Chancellor also hailed the just-concluded SUG election as transparent, free, fair, and credible, describing it as a democratic model worthy of emulation at the federal, state, and local government levels. He noted that the election reflected ESUT's commitment to credible governance and institutional excellence.

Reiterating the University's uncompromising stance against cultism, fraud, and other criminal activities, Professor Okolie disclosed that only candidates who successfully passed rigorous character screening were allowed to contest the election. He warned that any student found engaging in criminal acts would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, stressing that ESUT would continue to produce student leaders of proven integrity.

In what emerged as one of the major highlights of the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor announced that the University would soon establish a Faculty of Computing, increasing the number of faculties from fourteen to fifteen.

The proposed faculty will house five newly approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC), namely:

• B.Sc. Intelligence and Security Studies
• B.Sc. Cyber Security
• B.Sc. Data Science
• B.Sc. Software Engineering
• B.Sc. Artificial Intelligence

The announcement underscores ESUT's determination to position itself at the forefront of digital innovation and emerging technologies in Nigeria's higher education sector.

In her goodwill message, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Ifeoma Okwo, congratulated the new executives and reminded them that leadership is measured by integrity, sacrifice, accountability, and selfless service.

She encouraged them to promote responsible unionism and preserve the peaceful atmosphere currently enjoyed within the University.

Professor Okwo also commended the outgoing SUG administration led by Comrade Faustina Nwodo for its contributions to the institution, announcing that members of the immediate past executive would receive Certificates of Meritorious Service in recognition of their impactful stewardship.

She further expressed concern over the low participation of ESUT students in the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) scheme, urging the new SUG leadership to intensify sensitization campaigns to ensure more students benefit from the intervention, thereby easing the financial burden on parents and guardians.

Adding intellectual depth to the inauguration, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Enugu State Police Command, SP Daniel Ndukwe, delivered a thought-provoking lecture titled "Choice, Character, and Consequences: Confronting Cultism and Other Vices on Campus."

He charged the newly elected executives to become ambassadors of positive change, embrace selfless leadership, protect the image of ESUT, and steer clear of cultism and every form of social vice capable of jeopardizing their future.

Also speaking, former SUG President of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and Lecturer in the Department of Psychology, ESUT, Dr. Michael Eze, presented a lecture titled "Student Union Government and Unionism: Its Role in Promoting a Peaceful Campus Environment."

He advised the new executives to remain focused on the ideals of genuine student representation, uphold the principles of democratic unionism, and resist undue external influence throughout their tenure.

The ceremony reached its climax as the ESUT Registrar, Mr. Ambrose Ugwu, administered the oath of office, formally inaugurating the new SUG executives.

With a renewed mandate and clear charge from the University's leadership, the Chidera Nwobodo-led administration now faces the responsibility of fostering unity, protecting students' welfare, strengthening collaboration with management, and sustaining ESUT's reputation as a centre of academic excellence, innovation, and responsible student leadership.

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