Meet your FTO - Student President Chidozie Nwaigwe

Newly appointed Student President Chidozie Nwaigwe has officially started his post as Full Time Officer for 2023/2024 following the Students’ Association elections earlier this year.

We met with Chidozie to find out what his goals are this year and learn some interesting facts about him!

What prompted you to run in the Student Elections?

I was deeply involved in Students’ Association before I ran for election, I’ve been a Class Representative, Disabled Students’ Officer, a member of the University Senate and have received two scholarships from the university so I felt deeply engrained in the system. By being involved in the system I got to realise that GCU is an excellent university but there are a few things that need to be done policy-wise to make it a better place for students.

How did you feel when you found out you were Student President?

I felt really glad because it was keenly contested, it was a great feeling but it was also a call to service. I realised it was a huge responsibility having to lead over 20,000 students across Glasgow and London. It was a call to service for me and a notification that it was time to serve.

What aspect of your role excites you the most?

I get to meet lots of students every day, I get to interact with students and impact their lives. I love the fact I am now able to assist more people.

What are your main goals during your time as Student President?

Firstly I want to make sure that as president I make sure the Students’ Association is accessible to students, I want students to realise thy have a home away from home. I want students to know that the Students’ Association is there to listen, no matter what they’re going through, someone is there to listen.

I would also want to ensure that better academic policies are put into place for students, for example, for us to have a 24 hour library or study lab because I know not every student studies during the day but there’s presently nowhere to study at night for students.

I want to make sure that there is more inclusivity on campus and racism is kept at zero. I also want to make sure there is more social activity on campus. This is something that’s very important because I don’t find it very enjoyable that what most of us do is come to school, do our coursework and classes then go home. A university should have lots of social activity so I’d like to create more of that on campus.

What can you bring to the role?

I’ve been a Student Leader in my former institution and I was very instrumental in ensuring student voices were heard, so something I’m interested in doing is ensuring every student has a voice on campus and you’re not just shut out from being heard, your intentions are being listened to by the institution.

Getting to know you…

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Nigeria in Lagos state. I moved to Glasgow in January 2022. Glasgow is nice but cold, but the people are very welcoming and it’s a home away from home.

How do you spend your free time?

I love to cook and I love to watch Arsenal play. The kitchen is my favourite part of any house. As long as I have time I’m always in the kitchen trying something new. My favourite thing to cook is Nigerian jollof rice. Besides doing that I love to listen to the news, current affairs and what is going on around me and I also like to spend time volunteering.

What is your favourite movie?

I love action movies, I’d say my favourite film is The Covenant but I also really enjoy The Pope’s Exorcist.

Who is your hero?

My hero would be my mother and that’s because she’s allowed me to do the things I want to do growing up. At times I wanted to be a musician and she paid for my studio sessions, I did have 4 music tracks but they have been taken off the internet!

She’s always said that if I like it, she’ll support me no matter what I do. I feel that anyone who stands by you during the formative years of your life when you’re still working out what you want to do and supports you in every form and shape is a hero so she’s my hero.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?

If I had a super power I’d want a power that would help me correct climate change. I would feel fulfilled if I could all of a sudden correct climate change!

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself…

Probably the fact that I love perfumes and shoes (laughs), my favourite perfume is Sauvage by Dior and I love any shoe I’m comfortable in!

By Derry Wyllie