By :Deborah Adeyemi and Ayeni Christianah
When the Financial Secretary of the Renewable Natural Resources Students’ Association (RENARSA) presented agenda titled “Your Path to Prosperity Starts Here,” it created expectations of transparency, financial accountability, student empowerment, and economic growth. However, five months into the tenure, questions are beginning to emerge on whether these promises have moved beyond words into actual implementation.
Furthermore, the Financial Secretary is constitutionally mandated to submit a statement of account and financial report to the Legislative arm through the Clerk upon request from time to time and to provide a final financial report at the end of the tenure. According to the Clerk of RENARSA UI :Ayodele Godgift , when interviewed, the required financial report has not been submitted by the Financial Secretary. This raises serious concerns about adherence to the constitution, which should be the first priority of any elected officer before the implementation of personal agendas and projects. An officer cannot claim to promote financial accountability while failing to uphold the very constitutional responsibilities attached to the office.
Another major promise in the agenda was the creation of a RENARSA-exclusive digital marketplace designed to promote student businesses, encourage peer-to-peer commerce, and strengthen the internal economic system of the faculty. The initiative was presented as a way to ensure that RENARSA’s financial focus would not only be on spending but also on creating opportunities for students to earn and grow their ventures. However, after five months in office, no digital marketplace has been created, leaving this aspect of the agenda unrealized.
The Financial Secretary also promised a structured faculty dues verification system where Assistant Class Representatives (ACRs) would collect printed payment evidence, which would then be cross-verified with bank statements before official receipts are issued. This system was meant to create a safer and more reliable record-keeping process. However, responses from ACRs across different levels revealed that this procedure has not been communicated or implemented. Students currently meet the Financial Secretary individually to process their faculty receipts, which differs from the planned system presented in the agenda.
In addition, the agenda emphasized the importance of financial literacy among Renarsites through initiatives such as a Financial Wellness Webinar and a monthly “Plan Ahead & Save Consciously” digital flier campaign. These programs were designed to educate students on savings, investment, and responsible spending. Yet, since the Financial Secretary officially assumed office on February 20, 2026, no monthly flier under this initiative has been released.
The purpose of this review is not to undermine the office of the Financial Secretary but to demand that elected officials remain accountable to the promises that earned them the confidence of students. An agenda is not only a campaign document; it is a commitment to the people. As RENARSA continues under this leadership, students deserve to see a clear transition from promises made to actions delivered.
RENARSA PRESS UI 