Hello everyone,

My name is Felix Ikokwu, and I am seeking re-election as your VP Operations and Finance at LUSU.

Serving in this role over the past year has given me a deeper understanding of how our union operates and where we need to grow. I have seen firsthand the challenges students face, especially when it comes to space, affordability, and making sure their fees are working for them. I have also seen the potential we have when partnerships are built and relationships are strengthened.

I am running again because I believe we are now in a position to take the next step. Through the partnerships I have cultivated with university administration and community stakeholders, we have the foundation needed to pursue larger structural initiatives like LUSU House. Re-election allows us to build on the momentum of this year and move from improvement to long-term impact

My background combines student leadership, operational management, and financial oversight. I previously served as President of AFCASA, where I worked closely with diverse student groups to advocate for representation, funding, and inclusive programming. That experience strengthened my ability to listen to students, manage resources responsibly, and navigate institutional processes.

Over the past year as VP Operations and Finance, my role has allowed me to translate that leadership into structural impact. I supported the implementation of the Lakehead student ID tap to ride integration with the city bus system, helping modernize how students access transportation. I worked toward increasing funding allocated to student groups so clubs have the financial capacity to grow and deliver meaningful programming. I also led the revision and implementation of a new club platform that better reflects the evolving needs of our student population and improves accessibility, transparency, and operational efficiency.

Throughout this term, I have strengthened partnerships with university administration and community stakeholders. These relationships have given me a clearer understanding of how policy decisions are made and how to advocate effectively within those systems. This combination of leadership experience, financial oversight, and institutional engagement has prepared me to pursue larger initiatives such as LUSU House in a structured and responsible way.

My vision is centred on long-term infrastructure, financial responsibility, and direct student engagement.

The cornerstone of my platform is the development of LUSU House. This would be a dedicated student union space where clubs can host meetings, small and large events, and where students can gather, collaborate, and build community. Space has been an ongoing challenge on campus, and LUSU House represents a structured and realistic step toward alleviating those limitations.

If elected, I will continue engaging with clubs and student groups to understand where they require support and gather input that directly informs planning. I will move forward with structured feasibility planning for LUSU House, including exploring funding models and leveraging the partnerships I have built this year to make this vision practical, sustainable, and achievable.

I will continue advocating for affordable education and for increased access to financial aid opportunities. Protecting student dollars and ensuring transparency in how fees are managed will remain a priority. I will also pursue a structured review of transportation agreements, including exploring a parking-pass-based UPass opt-out framework to ensure fairness and accountability in how student fees are structured and applied.

My goal is to move beyond short-term solutions and focus on strengthening the systems and infrastructure that support students both now and in the years ahead.

Students can learn more about my campaign by following me on Instagram @elo__felix