From inception, the University has enjoyed the leadership of 29 democratically-elected Union Executives and six Students Consultative Council-led Executives due to reasons of proscription and suspension of union activities at different times.

As of today, the University of Ilorin Students' Union stands out as first among equals as it blazes the trail for others to follow. The Union is very keen about entrepreneurship and innovation, the realities of the 21st century. For instance, the Union is the first in Nigeria to use online voting system (a variant of e-voting system) to elect its officials.