Shakira Martin

Shakira Martin (born 1988) is a British student politician and former president of the National Union of Students.

In April 2017, Martin, the union's vice-president for further education, defeated the incumbent Malia Bouattia, receiving 56% of the vote. She describes herself as a black working-class single mother, and comes from a Jamaican family background.

In March 2018, Martin was re-elected to a second term with 51% of the vote in the first round.

Early life and career Early life Martin was one of nine siblings raised in Lewisham, south-east London, by Jamaican parents. She left home at 16 and admits to having been involved in drug dealing for a month when she was in need of money. She then had two children, before gaining a diploma in education and training from Lewisham and Southwark College, becoming President of the College Students' Union. In the position, she led a campaign to raise the profile of the impact of government post-16 area reviews on learners, and was a "strong advocate for the learner and apprentice voice". The report was published in Autumn 2017.

Martin's key initiative was to launch a commission into addressing student poverty, which made 40 recommendations and was positively received by Universities UK and the University Alliance. In March 2018, Martin was re-elected to a second term with 51% of the vote in the first round of voting, along with deputy Amatey Doku;

Her second term was dominated by tackling NUS's financial situation, as the organisation faced bankruptcy over a £3m deficit. Martin wrote to members that the union would be "taking urgent action to stabilise", with reforms being developed for "consideration and refinement with the help of our members". Martin faced criticism for developing a drastic programme of financial, governance and campaigning reforms for approval by the union's National Conference; amidst this, she described the President role as an "awful job" on social media. After around five hours of debate at the conference, 700 delegates voted in favour of the package. Martin welcomed the vote, calling it a "momentous decision to endorse reform and deliver the vision of members".

Martin was succeeded by Zamzam Ibrahim in July 2019.