“We Came, Made Impact, and Finished Strong,” Says IIJ Class of 2025 President, Oluwaseun Ayodele

International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) Abuja, Ado-Ekiti Centre Class of 2025 has brought its academic journey to a memorable close, leaving behind a record of tangible achievements that have redefined student leadership within the institution. From infrastructural improvements to academic reforms, the class under President Oluwaseun Ayodele demonstrated that student governance can be both purposeful and transformative.

“We Came, Made Impact, and Finished Strong,” Says IIJ Class of 2025 President, Oluwaseun Ayodele

Speaking at the end of his tenure, Ayodele expressed deep appreciation to his colleagues for their cooperation and unity of purpose, noting that every milestone recorded was a product of collective effort rather than individual glory. He said the administration’s central focus was on strengthening academic engagement, the very reason that brought students to IIJ and ensuring that no one was left behind in the learning process.

“We Came, Made Impact, and Finished Strong,” Says IIJ Class of 2025 President, Oluwaseun Ayodele

The class began making an impact early in its administration. In May 2025, it launched the Solar Fans Contribution Project, a grassroots initiative aimed at equipping classrooms with solar-powered fans to improve learning conditions. The project, which remains ongoing, was conceived as “a project of necessity,” born out of empathy for students who endured intense heat during lectures. The initiative is being executed with the generous support of Hon. Stephen Ijidale, whose contribution has been instrumental in driving its progress.

In June 2025, Oluwaseun Ayodele spearheaded the establishment of the Phonics Club, a platform designed to enhance students’ pronunciation and public speaking skills. The club, initiated under his direct leadership, was aimed at bridging communication gaps and helping journalism students polish their diction, an essential skill for broadcasters and public speakers.

That same month, the class influenced a power installation project within the school, with strong support from the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi. The intervention resolved the issue of unstable electricity supply that had hindered academic activities for months. According to students, the project restored stability to lecture sessions and administrative operations, ensuring smoother academic performance across departments.

By October, the Class of 2025 delivered two more visible improvements: the reconstruction of the school’s signpost and the rehabilitation of the lighting system. These projects not only enhanced the school’s visibility but also improved campus security. “We wanted the physical environment to reflect the progress we were making academically,” Ayodele said.

In the academic sphere, the administration prioritised clarity, transparency, and inclusion. The class consistently provided timely updates on lectures, examinations, and academic schedules, ensuring that no student was left uninformed. To improve access to learning materials, the leadership facilitated recorded French lectures, allowing students to revisit classes for better understanding and revision.

In addition, the class established a Phonetics Training Club, complementing the school’s academic structure with practical oral training. This initiative received praise from both lecturers and students for bridging the gap between classroom theory and professional communication standards expected in journalism practice.

Addressing financial concerns among students, Ayodele intervened in a brewing conflict over the high cost of course materials. When tensions rose, he personally sponsored the digital version of one of the most controversial course texts, providing free access to every student. In the following semester, his team worked with lecturers to produce more affordable alternatives, a move that eased financial pressure on students and promoted fairness.

To ensure accountability, the administration introduced a transparent structure for managing academic material sales, keeping records open and accessible to all. This effort built trust among students and set a new standard for transparency in class financial matters, an area often neglected in student politics.

The class also made a major leap in modernising IIJ’s teaching structure. For the first time in the institution’s history, it successfully advocated for a hybrid lecture model that alternated two weeks of physical classes with one week of online learning. The innovation catered to distance learners and working students, ensuring that no one missed academic activities due to location or schedule constraints.

Beyond academics, the class demonstrated compassion and community spirit. One of its final gestures was the free distribution of project files to graduating students, an act aimed at encouraging them to begin their research projects early and ease the cost burden associated with final-year work. The administration also promoted social balance by mobilising students to attend the Ekiti Festival Gathering, an event that provided relaxation, networking, and cultural enrichment.

In his farewell message, Ayodele praised the cooperation of his classmates and acknowledged those who played crucial roles in making the administration successful. He gave special mention to Mr Odunayo Akinwumi, describing him as a loyal and selfless ally. Ayodele recalled how Akinwumi voluntarily stepped down from a competing post during the campaign to maintain unity and later excelled as Financial Secretary, helping to develop the administration’s accountability framework.

“The Class of 2025 came, made an impact, and finished strong,” Ayodele said. “And to anyone who feels we have not done enough, I have no response but to say thank you.” His statement resonated across the student body, symbolising both humility and confidence in the legacy they built together.

As the curtains close on their time at the International Institute of Journalism, the Class of 2025 leaves behind a reputation for visionary leadership, service-driven reforms, and unity of purpose. Their story stands as a reminder that student leadership, when guided by integrity and collaboration, can indeed drive meaningful change within academic institutions.