Jane Pwajok Talks SUG Presidency, Leadership Journey and Inspiring Change at the University of Jos
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By Fakwagh Ciboh, Dorcas Songden, Samuel Richard and Katrina Edwin
Everyone crowding around the Directorate of Student Affairs, phones out and voices hushed, is thinking the same thing: It’s her. Jane Kangyang Pwajok. The face that would lead a new era on campus. The voice that has rallied thousands of Jossites from hostels to lecture halls. The advocate who turned protests into policies and dreams into strategies. Sure, the University of Jos has seen its share of leaders. But now it is the Jane Pwajok era.
When you think of the University of Jos, many names come to mind, but recently there's none more talked-about than Jane Kangyang Pwajok. Long before her historic win on Wednesday, November 20th, 2024, Jane had already won the hearts of Jossites. Her rise to prominence is no accident, Jane Pwajok has quickly become a household name, and for all the right reasons.
Born and raised in Plateau State, Jane’s roots in the community run deep. Growing up on the Plateau fueled her desire to carve out a name for herself as an advocate for students rights and leadership. Her academic journey at the University of Jos began with a clear purpose, to excel in her studies while simultaneously being a voice for those often unheard.
Jane is no stranger to hard work. Her early experiences working with organizations and student-led initiatives cemented her passion for social justice and student advocacy.
It's clear that the rumors were wrong: Jane Pwajok, the leader, and Jane Kangyang, the person, are in fact one and the same. She needs no introduction, but for those who have heard the name and are yet to know her, Jane Kangyang Pwajok is a 500-level medical student at the prestigious University of Jos. A leader, advocate, and dynamic young Nigerian, her life is defined by guts, grit, and gusto. A passionate champion of social impact and realpolitik, she has been actively involved in student unionism throughout her time at the University of Jos.
One oft-overlooked problem with being a trailblazing leader: keeping track of your achievements. Jane Kangyang Pwajok has held so many influential roles (by loose count, more than seven, including Vice President of the National Union of Berom Students, SDG Coordinator for the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association, and, as of 2013, the youngest President of Koboland) that it’s easy to lose count. Add to that her historic position as the first female Chief of Staff to the NIMSA President, and her impact speaks for itself.
Jane Kangyang Pwajok is a name that has become inseparable from leadership and politics, and it’s no surprise to anyone who’s witnessed her rise.
In a conversation with us, she shared one of the driving forces behind her aspirations: “I’m someone who genuinely cares about others, and part of my decision to run for this office was to disrupt the status quo.”
Jossites have Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and others to thank for some of the transformation sweeping through the University of Jos. "I took a lot of inspiration from the people who’ve fought for change before me like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala by making sure my campaign was centered on my ability and not my identity," Jane says. “I have served in various capacities, always aiming to stand out and think outside the box. I wanted to bring something new to the table, and if you paid attention to my campaign, you’d have noticed that. Now, the SUG presidency presents an opportunity to do even more.”
With a proven track record of breaking barriers and achieving unprecedented milestones, Jane is now poised to take on the role of SUG President, where she’s set to lead with both vision and integrity.
Having established herself as a force for change at the University of Jos, Jane Pwajok’s rise to the role of SUG President hasn’t been without its trials. As part of our conversation, we sat with Jane to discuss the core values that drive her, the challenges she faced during her campaign, and her vision for the future of the university.
When asked to describe who Jane Pwajok is, she answers with confidence and clarity. “I am a political enthusiast,” she says. “I’ve been doing politics for a long time, and alongside so many other things, politics has always been at the helm of it all. Politics is my way of contributing to something bigger than myself.”
Her devotion to leadership is grounded in a set of core values, with loyalty standing out as one of the most important. “I think loyalty comes first for me,” Jane reveals. “Loyalty to the people I serve, to the principles I stand for, and to the mission I’ve set. I’m someone who genuinely cares about others, and I’ve always wanted to disrupt the status quo because the same issues keep being tolerated over and over again.”
Adding to that, she says, “I’m someone who wants to stand out. So, in a bid to change the order of things, I tackled different issues, from breast cancer awareness to the inter-faculty competition and even the weekly newsletters.” To Jane, not living up to her words and setting standards would be a betrayal of her commitment to creating real change. “I told my team, if everyone is doing what we are doing then we need to be different and do better.”
“The reason is simple,” Jane continues. “If we’re not pushing the envelope, then we’re just another group following the same old script. My goal has always been to disrupt the norm, to challenge what’s been done before, and to set new standards that others will follow. Anything less than that would be a betrayal of the change I want to bring.”
She credits the challenges she faced while campaigning largely to her prior experiences in politics.
“I think the major factor for me was that I had been doing politics for seven years,” Jane begins. “Back in Bingham University, I was already into politics and made some contributions during my two years there. When I got to the University of Jos, I started my political journey right from the remedial level.
From her 100 level to her 400 level, Jane served in numerous positions, including Vice President of her tribal house, Liaison Officer for Nigerian Medical Students, and Liaison Officer to Africa for the Nigerian Medical Students. Reflecting on her journey, she points out a harsh reality of politics: “One thing is clear in politics, the more positions you take, the more enemies you make, or at least that’s how I’ve experienced it,” Jane shares.
“You begin to hear different stories about yourself. They term you as arrogant or proud, and most people struggle to distinguish between genuine leadership and agendas that don’t align with their interests,” she explains. “There’s an average, and when you’re slightly above it, they start tagging you with all sorts of labels.”
She acknowledges how these perceptions became a significant challenge during her campaign. “People hate what they don’t understand or can’t control, and fortunately or unfortunately for me, I fell into that category,” Jane says. “I think my biggest challenge was running as a stakeholder who had been deeply involved in politics from the onset, rather than coming out of nowhere and saying, ‘I want to run for the presidency.’”
“I think I’ll place gender second,” Jane explains. “This is because, although it was a challenge, it also came with advantages. I had so many people supporting me because they were inspired by my resolve to run as a woman, both men and women.”
However, the issue of gender presented a paradox. “There were also people against the idea of a woman serving as both the president and vice president simultaneously,” she adds. The gender factor undeniably played a role during her campaign, offering both opportunities and obstacles. Yet, when discussing this aspect, Jane seems careful not to dwell too much on it, choosing instead to focus on the bigger picture of her aspirations and leadership journey.
Another recurring challenge on Jane’s journey to the presidency was the issue of her faculty. Being a medical student raised concerns among some members of the student body, and she openly shares these experiences. “The first aspect of my faculty as a challenge was location,” Jane explains. “I heard whispers here and there, people saying, ‘How can she balance coming from JUTH to school every day?’”
She tackled these concerns head-on during her manifesto presentation. “I mentioned that if elected, I would make the White House functional so that a third of my excos would be present there,” she says. Jane elaborates that this was something she extensively discussed with her team. She emphasizes the importance of proximity to the students being served: “You need to live with the people you serve to better understand their needs.”
Jane further explains why this is necessary. “When you live there and you can’t get water to bathe, electricity to charge your phone, or your life gets threatened on your way from school, you’ll better understand that their needs are just as much ours. It’s through this shared experience that you become more responsive to these issues and can create real change.”
The second aspect was the university's previous experience with a medical student as president, which left some students with reservations. “It was a challenge for me,” Jane acknowledges, “but I still received a lot of support from people who believed in the faculty and in me.”
Then there was the perception that medical students are not political and should focus solely on their academics. Jane addresses this stereotype candidly. “People often think medical students have no place in politics because of the demanding nature of our studies,” she explains. “But leadership isn’t about where you come from; it’s about your ability to balance responsibilities and deliver results. I wanted to show that being a medical student doesn’t mean you can’t lead effectively.”
Outside of politics, Jane’s academic journey and personal interests paint a picture of a multifaceted individual. Few know that she is a polo player, a French language enthusiast during her leisure time, and a skilled guitarist. Beyond that, she is also an entrepreneur, running her own travel and tour agency.
Jane shares how she manages her busy life beyond politics, maintaining a balance among her passions without allowing them to overlap. Addressing the concerns of students, she explains, “Discipline has helped me achieve this. I have a schedule, and I stick to it. I’ve been privileged to be mentored and supported by my lecturers and faculty, which has helped me to be more available and find balance.” She adds, “I’ve also been able to prioritize my activities because of the many responsibilities I shoulder.”
As SUG President, Jane has outlined an ambitious agenda, with partnerships at its core. Recognizing that no system thrives in isolation, she plans to collaborate with organizations, foundations, and international bodies to address issues ranging from infrastructure decay to security lapses. For instance, she aims to enhance the university’s security by engaging companies to provide robust systems and training for students.
Jane also has a clear vision for the future of University of Jos students. Aware of the bleak job market in Nigeria, she plans to introduce mentorship programs with fintech companies and entrepreneurial organizations to equip students with skills for alternative careers. Her goal is to prepare students for life beyond the university, enabling them to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Another pillar of her administration is international recognition. Jane is determined to spotlight the diverse talents within the university, from artists and dancers to budding entrepreneurs. By promoting these talents, she hopes to position the University of Jos as a hub of creativity and innovation on the global stage.
Jane’s commitment to healthcare is equally unwavering. She envisions an improved university clinic, staffed by more doctors and equipped to meet the needs of the student population. For a medical student balancing academics and leadership, this initiative is both personal and symbolic of her broader mission to uplift her community.
In addition to her plans for healthcare, partnerships, and career mentorship, Jane is pushing for an advocacy-centered leadership style. She has set out to meet with Faculty leaders, Hostel Governors and Governesses, and Tribal Heads to gain organic feedback on the issues students face. These representatives will present their concerns to the SUG house, creating a direct channel between the student body and her administration. Jane’s openness to constructive criticism highlights her commitment to building a government rooted in accountability and responsiveness.
Moreover, Jane is keen on fostering collaboration between departments and students to establish a robust communication structure. She believes that a thriving student government must maintain transparent and effective communication with the people it serves. This commitment to advocacy and collaboration sets her apart as a leader who not only listens but also acts decisively to address the concerns of her constituents.
Her story is a reminder that great leaders are not defined by the absence of obstacles but by their ability to rise above them. Jane Kangyang Pwajok’s journey, marked by resilience, passion, and an unrelenting drive to serve, is a beacon of hope for young women and aspiring leaders everywhere. She is not just leading a student government; she is reshaping perceptions, inspiring a generation, and proving that with discipline and determination, no dream is out of reach.
In a world that often questions the capacity of women to lead, Jane is answering boldly, not with words but with action. As she charts her path forward, one thing is certain: the University of Jos is in capable hands, and its students have a leader who is as passionate about their future as she is about her own.
