President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the release of palliatives to Student Union Government (SUG) presidents across various higher institutions in Nigeria. The initiative, coordinated by the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Student Engagement, involves the distribution of bags of rice to representatives of student bodies nationwide.
Presidential Commitment to Students
Speaking during the distribution ceremony on Tuesday, Asefon Sunday, the Special Adviser on Student Engagement, explained that the move reflects President Tinubu’s dedication to supporting the student community.
“Today, SUG Presidents across the federation, by God’s grace, will also receive their rice from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a man who understands the importance of students as leaders not only of tomorrow but also of today,” Asefon said.
He noted that the palliatives were initially intended for students to mark the 2024 festive period but faced logistical delays, causing the distribution to be postponed.
“The President gave them the rice, but unfortunately, it arrived in Abuja very late, around December 28th last year. So, this year, we thought it wise to ask them to come to Abuja so that we could personally hand over the rice to them.”
A Historic First for Nigerian Student Leaders
Asefon further highlighted the unprecedented nature of this outreach, emphasizing that it is the first time a sitting president has directly engaged SUG leaders in such a manner.
“We selected two SUG Presidents from each zone to represent them and manage the distribution of the palliative. It has never happened in the history of this country that the President will reach out to stakeholders and student leaders, particularly SUG Presidents, in December. This is the first time it’s happening.”
Observers say the palliatives demonstrate President Tinubu’s broader approach to strengthening ties with Nigerian youth and fostering their development within the country’s educational institutions.
PDP Chieftain Describes Tinubu as ‘Cabal’ of His Government
In another development, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Showunmi, recently described President Tinubu as the key power broker—or “cabal”—in his own administration, suggesting he has structured his government in a way that centralizes decision-making around himself. Showunmi claimed that individuals like Femi Gbajabiamila, the President’s Chief of Staff, have limited latitude to perform their duties due to the president’s style of governance.
Despite such critiques, Tinubu’s latest student-focused initiative may bolster his image as a leader who maintains direct engagement with critical demographics, particularly the country’s younger generation. Whether this move will ease broader concerns about inclusivity and delegation within his administration remains to be seen.