The management of the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, has initiated disciplinary actions against students who protested against a recent fee hike. A query dated May 24 and issued by the Dean of Student Affairs, I.A Abiona, was circulated on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, outlining the university’s stance on the protests.
According to the query, the students’ demonstration in the presence of the Vice Chancellor was deemed gross misconduct. The document specifically addressed one student among the protesters, stating, “The Student Affairs Division has received a report from the office of the Vice Chancellor proffered against you, that on Monday, 13 May 2024, yourself and three (3) other students including an unknown person (Adeyeye Oluwafemi), disrupted the swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected executives of the Student Union.”
The university accused the students, who were identified as Olamide Gbadegesin Iyanuoluwa, Nice Linus, Adeyeye Oluwafemi, and the recipient of the query, of carrying placards with inscriptions protesting the fee hike. The management deemed this act as unruly behavior and gross misconduct, especially as it occurred in the presence of the Vice Chancellor and other university officials. The students have been given 48 hours to respond to the query, failing which they face suspension.
One of the activists involved, Mr. Adeyeye, criticized the university’s response to the protest. He expressed his dismay to Peoples Gazette, saying, “This nonsense is expected because our university system is run by autocrats. It was just a peaceful protest in a hall. Very quiet until they brought security officers, bundled us out, beat us, brought in heavily armed soldiers, and drove us to Agodi where they held us for four hours. Instead of addressing the issues protesters raised, they went for the messenger. But we will resist it.”
The university’s move to penalize the students has sparked outrage, with many criticizing the management’s approach. An X user, @musediqramon, shared a copy of the query online and condemned the university’s actions, stating, “The UI management has gone rogue again. Some courageous students raised placards demanding that the demonic fee hike should be reversed, they were beaten, harassed, degraded, and later arrested. Now, the management has summoned them with a view to expel them. We will resist.”
