The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council, Lagos State Axis, has strongly criticised the management of the University of Ibadan (UI) over the rustication of three student activists, describing the action as a threat to democratic principles on campuses.
The affected students—Aduwo Ayodele, Nice Linus, and Mide Gbadegesin—were suspended for four semesters after facing a disciplinary panel over their involvement in a peaceful protest tagged #FeesMustFall. The protest, which was aimed at highlighting the impact of rising tuition fees on students, was reportedly conducted with placards and symbolic gestures.
In a statement released on Monday, NANS Lagos Public Relations Officer, Ridwan Ajayi, accused the university of targeting the students for their activism, alleging political motivation behind the disciplinary action.
“Their only offence was expressing dissent through peaceful protest during a time of economic hardship,” the statement read. “This action is nothing short of a witch-hunt and a gross abuse of power and due process.”
The group also criticised the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, alleging a deliberate effort to stifle student voices through institutional means.
NANS Lagos called the suspension a violation of fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression and the right to protest. It praised the students’ courage, saying, “They stood when it was dangerous to stand.”
The association is demanding the immediate reversal of the rustication, a public apology from UI management, and an end to what it described as the persecution of student activists. It also called on other NANS chapters, civil society groups, and the wider student body to join in solidarity, promising coordinated resistance through both online and offline protests.
The statement concluded with a warning: “The university’s action will not go unchallenged. We will respond with strategy, solidarity, and courage.”
