Hon. Sanai O. Agunbiade, Former Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, participated as one of the panelists in a one-day interactive session between Governor Sanwo-Olu and student union leaders/Stakeholders in Lagos State on the 6th of March. The session aimed to foster dialogue and understanding between the government and the student community.

During his contribution to the session, He shared his experience as the president and commander in Aluta forces back in 1998 in LASU. He mentioned that he was in control of forces that included the Muslim community, the Christian community, and other societies. Despite this, he proudly stated that the campus remained open throughout his tenure, and no acts of violence or vandalism occurred during student protests.

Addressing the current challenges faced by campuses, Hon. Agunbiade highlighted the shift in unionism, noting that it is no longer based on ideology. He expressed concern over a student union leader he saw on television who seemed to lack advocacy and agreement on important issues. According to him, student union leaders should be well-read and able to convince and engage with students effectively.

He emphasized the significance of the interactive session provided by Governor Sanwo-Olu, describing it as an opportunity presented on a “platter of gold” for student leaders. He encouraged them to build relationships with leaders from various groups on campus, fostering peace and understanding for the benefit of the entire student community.

Hon. Sanai O. Agunbiade, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity provided by Governor Sanwo-Olu to engage with student union leaders and Stakeholders. He emphasized the significance of this engagement, highlighting that in some states, students have to struggle to even catch a glimpse of their governor. However, Governor Sanwo-Olu has made himself accessible to the students without them having to pay or prove anything.

During the session, He urged the Governor’s team to share his vision for this engagement. He encouraged them to be more accessible to student union leaders and emphasized the importance of pampering and attending to the needs of the students. He suggested that all commissioners should create time to address the problems faced by students in their respective institutions.

He emphasized that by listening to and addressing the concerns of the students, the Government can create a happier and more interactive environment. He believes that when students feel heard and supported, they can become agents of positive change within their institutions. Therefore, he urged the government to give the students an audience and engage with them on a deeper level.