lasuconscience
In every institution, effective communication is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Within the Lagos State University Students’ Union (LASUSU), the office of the Public Relations Officer (PRO) occupies a strategic position that directly affects how informed, calm, and coordinated the student populace remains at any given time.
The primary duty of a PRO is clear: to serve as the official channel for the timely, accurate, and consistent dissemination of information. This responsibility becomes even more critical in moments of uncertainty, policy changes, administrative decisions, or issues that directly affect students’ academic and welfare interests.
The importance of this role is also clearly entrenched in the LASUSU Constitution (2022). The constitution outlines the responsibilities of the Public Relations Officer in explicit terms. It states that the PRO shall: “Be the mouthpiece of the Union.” The constitution further provides that the PRO shall: “Be responsible for the proper dissemination of information to members of the Union as relating to the Union.” In addition, the constitution mandates that the PRO shall: “Prepare press releases of Union activities with the approval of the SEC.”
These provisions clearly establish the expectation that the office of the PRO must ensure that LASUites are consistently informed through timely updates, verified information, and official press releases regarding matters that concern the student body. While the 36th LASUSU Executive Council, ‘Igbega LASUSU’, possesses a focal PRO in the person of Comr. Akano AbdulMalik Kolade, popularly known as 5STAR, the recent intentional silence from his office has raised questions about whether he still clearly remembers his role, as explicitly entrenched in the constitution.
LASU Conscience can boldly state that the number of press releases and broadcasts from his office since his inauguration is not up to 20. The surprise in this is that there are so many issues plaguing LASUites, and this not-so-encouraging number of updates from his office defeats the purpose of his position. In the same vein, 5STAR’s office has been marred by situations where LASUites increasingly wait for prolonged periods before official information is verified or communicated. It has become so concerning that, in many cases, it is only after almost every LASUite is already aware of an issue that a broadcast is released. While we may credit this to the efforts of media organizations and blogs on campus, which have obviously been assisting our PRO in performing his duty, the issue of his limited press releases is something that cannot be ignored.
Surprisingly, having assessed the LASUSU Channel—which the PRO is clearly responsible for handling in alignment with his duty as the mouthpiece of the union—we are now confused about whether he has assumed the duties of the Social Director. This is because the number of event graphics that have been pushed to students recently greatly outnumbers the total number of press releases since his inauguration on October 13, 2025. We do not want to make unnecessary conclusions regarding the glaring reasons behind this act of intentional silence, but we want to remind the PRO that students are currently facing several issues that might only see solutions if you decide to wake up from your self-induced slumber.
It is concerning that, due to your absence in providing prompt updates, rumours have continued to thrive. Misinformation has now become what LASUites sleep and wake up to, and as a result, unnecessary anxiety is created among students. This situation is unhealthy for a campus community of LASU’s size and diversity. Students should not have to rely on speculation or unofficial sources for information that ought to be communicated clearly and promptly by the Students’ Union. While verification is important, it should not become a reason for silence. Even interim updates acknowledging ongoing verification processes can go a long way in reassuring the student body.
Several recent occurrences on campus highlight the urgent need for more proactive communication from the office of the PRO. For instance, a few weeks ago, the LIDC creation process for 100-level students reportedly commenced. Yet, there was no official clarification from the PRO’s office. As a result, many 100-level students were left confused about the process. In the absence of official guidance, unverified sources began circulating conflicting information, with some individuals claiming that the process was “different from the normal procedure” or that students had to pay certain individuals before it could be completed.
These claims have reportedly led to situations where some students were asked to pay money for processes they could ordinarily complete themselves. A timely clarification from the PRO’s office could have prevented such confusion and potential exploitation; but as usual, nothing was released from our mouthpiece.
Similarly, during the recently concluded CBT examinations, several students raised concerns about their experiences at some examination centres. Complaints ranged from delays during entry procedures to allegations of harassment and inappropriate physical checks by officials conducting security screenings. Such reports naturally generated concern among students, yet there was no immediate communication from the Students’ Union’s Public Relations Office addressing the issue or reassuring the student body—except for a post on his WhatsApp status that lasted less than 24 hours.
Another recent example concerns the uncertainty surrounding second-semester resumption. At the beginning of the session, the university released an academic calendar which scheduled examinations to begin on January 12. However, the examination period was later shifted by two weeks to January 26, causing the semester to end later than initially planned. According to the academic calendar, students are expected to resume for the second semester on March 2, barely a week after the end of first-semester examinations. However, the shift in the examination schedule created uncertainty among students, many of whom expected that the resumption date might also be adjusted.
As March 2 approached, both students and lecturers were uncertain about whether academic activities had officially resumed. In the absence of clear communication, several campus blogs began circulating unverified claims that the university had resumed. Unfortunately, as of the time of writing, the only update provided from the PRO’s office amid the confusion is a “Welcome Back To School LASUites” graphics. If this is not insensitivity displayed in HD, we don’t know what else to label this.
While there is increased confusion on campus following the “resumption” graphics from your office, all thanks to your lack of duty awareness; final year students in particular, are bearing the brunt of your sheer negligence. Suddenly, the pressure to meet project deadlines, resume back to school for courses, trying to take in LIDC’s pressure, among several glaring issues have now heightened, just because of the stunt displayed on the LASUSU Channel today, March 9, 2026.
The fact remains that you do not necessarily need to do much when there is no official information available; simply assuring LASUites to remain calm while verified information is being obtained would suffice.We need proactive communication from your office. Actions such as debunking false reports and reminding students to rely only on official announcements can significantly reduce confusion and anxiety among the students’ body.
It is important to acknowledge that the LASUSU PRO has made visible efforts in information dissemination and engagement so far. These efforts are commendable and should not be overlooked. However, appreciation should not replace accountability. The realities of a dynamic university environment demand more consistency, urgency, and responsiveness. As the bridge between the Students’ Union and LASUites, the PRO’s office must prioritize speed, clarity, and accessibility in communication. Delays, especially on issues that directly affect students’ academics, finances, or welfare, undermine trust and fuel frustration.
Effective public relations is not merely about announcements; it is about maintaining stability within the student community. When students are well informed, they are better positioned to respond rationally, engage constructively, and maintain confidence in the leadership structures that represent them.The office of the PRO must therefore embrace proactive communication: anticipating concerns, addressing them early, and keeping LASUites informed every step of the way.
This Editorial serves as a long-coming reminder of the importance of the PRO’s role within LASUSU. More can, and should be done to ensure that information flows smoothly and promptly to the student body. The expectation is not perfection, but a consistent commitment to improvement and responsiveness.
For the sanity of LASUites and the credibility of student leadership, timely and transparent communication must remain a top priority. LASU Conscience believes that with renewed focus and dedication, the PRO’s office can rise to this responsibility and better serve the interests of all students.
Additionally, we are aware that there is a LASUSU Substack account which does not have up to 500 subscribers. Yet, while speaking with LASU Conscience recently, you claimed to have disseminated information about the medical screening for newly admitted students through that platform. This is quite laughable. While we understand that your attention may be divided by other responsibilities—some of which may not even fall directly within your office—we kindly urge you to ensure that communication with LASUites is done through broadcasts and press releases on the LASUSU Channel.
Thank you. We hope to see drastic improvements in the coming days.
