Age Meets Ambition As 53-Year-Old Mazi Alex Onu Wins SUG Presidency, Redefining Campus Leadership At IAUE Port Harcourt

 

In what many are describing as one of the most extraordinary turns in student politics in recent memory, Mazi Alex Onu, a 53-year-old student at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) in Port Harcourt, has been elected President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG). The official announcement of the election results on Thursday sent shock waves through campus and beyond, prompting both applause and incredulous commentary.

Among the young faces usually associated with student leadership roles, Onu’s election stands out sharply. In African cultural contexts where university student leadership is typically the preserve of those in their late teens or early twenties, the image of a man in his early fifties donning the mantle of campus representative is arresting. His age alone has sparked dozens of social-media threads, entire conversations among student bodies, and even nostalgic reflections on what “student politics” means in a university setting.

Onu, according to campus observers, ran under the belief that age should not preclude one from representing, advocating or serving. In his campaign pitch he emphasised maturity, life experience and a commitment to student welfare. His victory signals not only his personal ambition but also a statement that the student body of IAUE may be open to unconventional leadership — a twist in the narrative of what student representation looks like.

Across the university grounds there is a palpable mixture of curiosity and excitement. Some second-year students spied one of their peers strolling alongside Onu after the announcement and joked that they had just voted their “senior citizen” into office. Others applauded the decision, noting that perhaps this is precisely what the student union needed: someone with age, composure and a different perspective. In the Nigerian university setting, where youth voices dominate union halls, Onu brings a rare blend of student status and mature oversight.

Several critics, however, raised questions. What does a 53-year-old student President mean for typical student dynamics? Will Onu fit in with clubs, with young freshmen, with the usual bustle of campus campaigning and representation? Some students expressed concern that his age might create a disconnect between him and the average student’s daily concerns. On a popular forum one user quipped: “Grandfather SUG president” while another mockingly asked: “What will his children say?”  

In the heart of the dispute lies tension between tradition and change. In many African tertiary institutions, student leadership has been almost exclusively youthful, reflecting a shared campus experience, peer-to-peer representation and coming-of-age politics. The election of someone significantly older disrupts that expectation. But there is also a flipside: Onu’s win could be seen as a challenge to ageist assumptions and an affirmation that student status – and leadership – may transcend chronology.

University historians will note the setting: IAUE, located in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, was previously the Rivers State College of Education before becoming a university in 2009.  Its student governance structures are familiar to Nigerian universities, but this weekend’s result may become a milestone. Onu’s election is being described in local blogs as “history-making” and “a landmark moment in student union politics.”  

According to some reports the election saw fair turnout, and Onu defeated his opponent amid much campus anticipation. Once the results were declared, the campus erupted in conversation: “If a 53-year-old can run for SUG president and win, what next?” asked a third-year student in the social sciences faculty. Another remarked: “Maybe we should all go back to school.”

On his part, Onu addressed the age-issue directly during a brief after-election interview. He claimed that his years did not disqualify him but rather equipped him. He stressed that his return to student life was driven by a desire for knowledge and for service. He stated: “Leadership is about capacity, not age.” Those words resonated among supporters who see his election as a break from youthful in-experience.  

For many in the wider Nigerian public the story touches upon deeper themes: lifelong learning, adult education, non-traditional students, and what “being a student” might look like in the 21st century. In African cultures where age is often revered, the idea of a mature adult still in formal education is not unheard of, but to rise to student leadership at a university is rare. The juxtaposition of Onu’s age and his new role invites reflection on both generational expectations and educational pathways.

Moving forward, his presidency will face practical tests. Will he be accepted by the younger student body? Can he navigate the usual student issues – accommodation, welfare, club rights, campus discipline, social events – with peers who might consider him more mentor than colleague? Can he balance the representation of a youthful constituency while drawing on his lived experience? The university community will watch closely.

What is certain is that by being elected SUG President, Mazi Alex Onu has not only won a ballot but has also opened a new chapter in the story of student governance. Whether this chapter becomes a trend or remains an anomaly is yet to be seen. But at IAUE on this day, age did not rule out student leadership. The campus has spoken, the results are in, and now the real work begins.