On June 12, We Stand
The Cabinet of Ernest Shonekan, 1993
Will this committee uphold the vision of June 12?
“Or will Nigeria fall back into the cycle from which it has long struggled to escape?”
Since gaining independence from Great Britain in 1960, Nigeria struggled to maintain a stable democratic system. Both the First and Second Republics collapsed following military coups, establishing a cycle of short-lived civilian governance followed by prolonged periods of dictatorship. In the late 1980s, head of state General Ibrahim Babangida initiated plans for yet another transition to a civilian government and organized elections that would launch the Third Republic.
The June 12, 1993, presidential election resulted in a decisive victory for candidate M.K.O. Abiola and was widely regarded as the “freest and fairest” in Nigerian history. However, in a dramatic plot twist, Babangida annulled the election results, triggering nationwide protests and a rallying cry for democracy that would echo across the nation: “On June 12 we stand!” Under mounting domestic and international pressure, Babangida would ultimately step down and transfer power to an Interim National Government led by Ernest Shonekan, the former head of Nigeria’s transition council. However, the new administration lacked a clear mandate, faced intense controversy, and remained vulnerable to military overthrow.
Delegates will take on the roles of cabinet ministers and other political actors within Shonekan’s fragile government, and must navigate the national crisis caused by widespread public distrust, escalating economic instability, international scrutiny, and the political challenge posed by external pro-Abiola activists and internal pro-Babangida officials.
With its legitimacy contested, institutions weak, and time running out, every decision of the Interim National Government carries weight. Will this committee uphold the vision of June 12, or will Nigeria fall back into the cycle from which it has long struggled to escape?
Welcome to Nigeria
Delegates must navigate the national crisis caused by widespread public distrust and escalating economic instability.
What will you do?
Meet the Team
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Vibha Sanjay
CHAIR
Vibha Sanjay is a member of the class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Political Economy with minors in Spanish and Tech, Ethics, and Society. She is originally from Plainsboro, New Jersey, and will never miss an opportunity to champion the garden state. This will be Vibha’s second NCSC. She began her Model UN journey her freshman year of college, staffing NCSC’s sister conference NAIMUN as a rapporteur. Her amazing staffing experience encouraged her to apply for the NAIMUN LXIII Secretariat, where she served as the Director of Philanthropy, and she is currently the Executive Director of NAIMUN LXIV. Last year, Vibha served as a Director at NCSC. Outside of Model UN, Vibha can be found supporting international nonprofits through Georgetown Global Consulting, or working on the student government’s election commission. She also works for Teach for America, teaching math to high school students. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, crafting, and finding new coffee shops around DC. Vibha is so excited to serve as your chair, and cannot wait to meet you all at the Washington Hilton this October!
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Chichi Ugochuku
CRISIS MANAGER
Chichi Ugochuku is a member of the Class of 2027 in the College of Arts and Sciences, double majoring in Government and Chinese. She grew up in Pennsylvania but claims citizenship of New Jersey by birth. Chichi’s Model UN journey began as a freshman at Georgetown, where she currently competes on the circuit and staffs NCSC and its high school sister conference NAIMUN. Chichi has a special place in her heart for traditional crisis committees and extensive experience staffing them: between NCSC and NAIMUN, she has served as a Crisis Analyst, Director, and now four-time Crisis Manager. In her limited free time, she enjoys going on walks, watching video essays on YouTube, and drafting her plans for world dominance. Chichi is incredibly excited for the fun, intrigue, and surprises that await her committee!
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ASSOCIATED STAFF
OTHER MEMBERS
Director: Leah Galibois
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Sven Stumbauer
UNDER SECRETARY-GENERAL
Sven Stumbauer is a member of the class of 2029 in Georgetown’s Walsh School of Foreign Service. He is honored and grateful to be your USG of Cabinets this year and can’t wait to see you in what’s sure to be the best NCSC yet.
