Former Students’ Union Government President of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti James Adio, says the resilience displayed by Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage after her private video leaked inspired him to remain strong when he faced a similar controversy.
Speaking during an interview with Tiamiyu Adebayo TV, Adio said he refused to allow the backlash from the leaked explicit video to define his life or derail his future.
Recalling the experience, he said he drew strength from Tiwa Savage’s response to her own leaked private tape in 2021.
“Tiwa Savage, the popular musician, faced something similar. In fact, I am not even half of where she was, but she overcame it. I have not come this far to give up,” he said.
Adio explained that he was initially unaware of the reactions generated by the video until he later checked his phone and saw discussions on social media.
“When I eventually came online and saw what people were saying, I told myself that if I gave up, I would disappoint those who believed in me,” he said.
He noted that the overwhelming support he received from former students also encouraged him to move on.
Reflecting on his emergence as SUG president, Adio described the election as highly competitive, revealing that he defeated 13 other contestants.
“It was a very tough contest. I had 13 opponents. I have experienced enough in life to know that many people will always want to see you fail,” he said.
According to him, the goodwill he earned while serving the student community became evident after the controversy, as many students publicly defended him.
“We fought for students while we were in office, and that is why many of them stood by me when everything happened,” he added.
Adio also credited his family, especially his mother, for helping him recover emotionally from the incident.
“The biggest encouragement came from my mum and my family. I expected them to rebuke me, but they stood by me instead, and that gave me the strength to move forward,” he said.
Adio came under public scrutiny in June after FUOYE suspended him over allegations that about ₦700,000 in unauthorised levies collected from newly admitted students was traced to his account.
Shortly after the suspension, an explicit video allegedly involving him surfaced online, attracting widespread reactions.
The university subsequently suspended two students over allegations of cyberbullying and blackmail related to the circulation of the video.
Despite the controversies, Adio has since completed his academic programme and officially signed out from the institution.
