THE FIRST Nigerian-born Students’ Union (SU) president in Ireland has said her term in charge was like being a company CEO.
Mayowa Soyingbe (21), who was elected as SU chief at the National College of Ireland last year, told Metro Éireann the role has been highly demanding, incorporating event management, budgeting and advising students on personal and fee issues.
“I feel like I’ve been doing it for years and years,” said Soyingbe of her tenure, which is drawing to a close. She said it was “not like you get trained in”, so it had been “down to business” straight away.
Five SU officers – overseeing areas like welfare, equality and entertainment – reported directly to Soyingbe, who presided over all SU activities for a student population of around 5,000. “It was like being a CEO, ” she said.
The human resource management graduate, who is a former pupil of St Columba’s in Rathfarnham, has lived in Ireland for a decade and made special attempts to engage international students, organising celebrations to mark Nigerian Indepedence Day and Chinese New Year.
The SU also organised a special societies ball at the Burlington Hotel this year, and held vigils on issues such as suicide and HIV/Aids.
Soyingbe said she “got on great” with the student population, some of whom were encouraging her to contest for re-election.
“A lot of the students were asking why not run for re-election but it was time to move on, ” she reflected.
Next on the agenda for the Nigerian-born woman is a summer internship with Citigroup, followed by a Masters in International Management at Trinity College.
With the SU scene in Ireland a breeding ground for tomorrow’s politicians, does Soyingbe foresee a career in public service, in her birth or adopted country?
“I don’t know about Nigerian politics, they are a bit… maybe if it’s better when I’m older. As for Irish politics, I think there are people who are more into it than me and who know a lot more about it. ”
However, Soyingbe says she “wouldn’t rule it out”.
