How electronic voting, transparency and student participation shaped a remarkable SUG election
On Saturday, 22 August 2026, the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, demonstrated a commendable commitment to democratic values, transparency and the use of technology in student leadership elections.
The Students’ Union Government (SUG) election, observed by the leadership of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), North Central Zone, stood out not only because of the impressive participation of students but also because of the institution’s effective deployment of an electronic voting system.
As the Zonal Coordinator of NAPS North Central Zone, I had the privilege of leading members of the Zonal Executive to observe the electoral process. What we witnessed was an encouraging example of how technology can be deployed to strengthen democratic participation, promote transparency and build confidence in electoral outcomes within our tertiary institutions.
An Election Marked by Strong Student Participation
One of the most significant features of the election was the level of student participation.
According to the certified results released by the Students’ Union Government Electoral Committee (SUGEC), the election recorded over 3,000 participating students, making it one of the highest voter turnouts recorded by the institution in recent years.
The turnout reflected the interest of students in the leadership and governance of their union. It also demonstrated the importance of providing an electoral system that students can trust and actively participate in.
Beyond the election of the SUG President, students also participated in electing other executive officers and departmental senators.
A strong voter turnout is an important indicator of a healthy democratic process. When students are encouraged to participate in choosing their leaders, they are not only exercising their democratic rights but also gaining practical experience in governance, representation and accountability.
The Role of Technology in Strengthening the Electoral Process
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the election was the use of an electronic voting platform for the accreditation of voters and the casting of ballots.
The deployment of technology helped to give the process a modern and transparent outlook. More importantly, it demonstrated that tertiary institutions can embrace digital solutions to improve the credibility and efficiency of their electoral processes.
The election was further strengthened by the establishment of a situation room, where agents of the various aspirants were given the opportunity to observe the process and monitor the real-time display of votes cast.
This level of transparency is particularly commendable.
By allowing representatives of candidates to observe the process, the institution created an environment of openness and confidence. Aspirants, their agents and other stakeholders could follow the progress of the election, thereby reducing uncertainty and strengthening trust in the eventual outcome.
The process was peaceful, orderly and free from rancour, further reinforcing the credibility of the exercise.
A Pleasant Discovery: Federal Polytechnic Bida Was Already Ahead
Before the election, the leadership of NAPS North Central Zone had formally written to the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, expressing our readiness to deploy the NAPS Campus Ballot System.
The proposed system is designed to support the management of electoral processes and facilitate the monitoring and gathering of election results in real time.
However, the response from the institution was both impressive and encouraging.
Upon receiving our letter, the management informed the leadership of NAPS North Central Zone that the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, already had an existing electronic voting platform which it had been using for its electoral processes for some time.
This revelation was particularly impressive because it showed that the institution had already recognised the importance of technology in improving the conduct of student elections.
Rather than merely experimenting with electronic voting, the institution had taken deliberate steps to develop and sustain a system that supports its electoral processes.
This positions the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, as one of the pioneering institutions within the North Central region in the adoption and deployment of technology for the management of student electoral processes.
Building Leaders Through Credible Democratic Processes
Student unionism remains an important platform for leadership development.
Many of the leaders who will contribute to the growth of our communities, institutions and nation in the future are currently being shaped within our campuses. For this reason, the process through which student leaders emerge is just as important as the leadership they eventually provide.
A transparent and credible election teaches important lessons about democracy, participation, responsibility and accountability.
When students are given the freedom and opportunity to elect their leaders through a process they consider fair and transparent, confidence in democratic institutions is strengthened.
The effort of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, therefore goes beyond simply conducting an election electronically.
It represents a broader commitment to leadership development, democratic participation and institution building.
By providing an enabling environment for students to elect their leaders freely, the management of the institution is contributing to the development of responsible and accountable future leaders.
NAPS North Central Commends the Management
The leadership of NAPS North Central Zone is highly impressed by the foresight and commitment demonstrated by the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida.
The decision to embrace and sustain the use of an electronic voting platform reflects innovation and a willingness to adopt systems capable of strengthening transparency and public confidence in electoral processes.
The management deserves recognition for creating an enabling environment where students can participate democratically in choosing their leaders.
The leadership of NAPS North Central Zone also commends the Students’ Union Government Electoral Committee (SUGEC), under the leadership of its Chairman, Dr. Gbati Muhammad, for its role in conducting the exercise.
The peaceful and orderly nature of the election was a reflection of the collective efforts of the management, electoral committee, security agencies, contestants and the students themselves.
The Outcome of the Presidential Election
At the conclusion of the electoral process, the certified results released by SUGEC showed that Comrade Ajegule emerged victorious in the presidential election.
The results were as follows:
- Comrade Amodu James Igagu also known as Ajegule — 1,451 votes, representing 45.77% of the valid votes cast.
- Comrde Anshwa Jerome Akpende, popularly known as JAYBLACK — 1,173 votes, representing 37%.
- Comrade Babakatun Musa Abdullahi, popularly known as EXCELLENCY — 546 votes, representing *17.22%.
The outcome of the election brought an end to what was widely observed as a competitive and peaceful democratic process.
On behalf of the leadership of NAPS North Central Zone, I congratulate and felicitate with Comrade Amodu James Igagu on his victory.
His emergence as the choice of the students comes with the responsibility to provide purposeful, inclusive and responsive leadership. The expectations of the student body are undoubtedly high, and it is hoped that the new leadership will work diligently to justify the confidence reposed in it.
We also recognise and commend the other contestants for participating in the democratic process and contributing to the vibrancy of student democracy within the institution.
A Model Worth Emulating
The experience at the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, offers important lessons for tertiary institutions across the North Central Zone and beyond.
Technology, when properly deployed, can contribute significantly to the improvement of electoral processes. It can promote transparency, improve efficiency, strengthen confidence and encourage greater participation.
The electronic voting system observed during the SUG election, combined with the real-time display of votes and the opportunity for candidates’ agents to monitor the process, demonstrates how innovation can support credible elections.
Other institutions can draw useful lessons from this model and explore appropriate technology-driven solutions for managing their own electoral processes.
NAPS North Central Zone remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote credible student elections, democratic participation, innovation and the development of responsible student leadership across the region.
Conclusion
The SUG election held at the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, on Saturday, 22 August 2026, was more than the election of a new set of student leaders.
It was a demonstration of what is possible when institutions create an enabling environment for democracy and embrace innovation in the management of electoral processes.
The impressive student turnout, the peaceful conduct of the exercise, the use of electronic voting, the real-time monitoring of votes and the transparency provided through the situation room all contributed to the success and credibility of the election.
Most importantly, the discovery that the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, had already established and used an electronic voting platform for some time speaks to the institution’s foresight and commitment to innovation.
The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, deserves commendation for this effort and for its contribution to the development of credible democratic processes and future leaders.
As we continue to advocate for stronger student participation and improved leadership across our campuses, the example demonstrated by the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, serves as a reminder that technology can be a powerful tool for strengthening democracy.
Once again, congratulations to Comrade Amodu James Igagu aka Ajegule, the newly elected SUG leadership and the entire student community of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida.
NAPS North Central Zone remains committed to promoting credible elections, innovation, democratic participation and purposeful student leadership across the region.