Students Group Demands Reinstatement of Suspended UI Activists, Alleges Mismanagement

The Concerned Students Movement (CSM), Nigeria, has called on the University of Ibadan (UI) management to immediately reinstate three suspended student activists and to end what it described as the repression of student unionism on campus.

In a press statement signed by its coordinator, Feranmi Gabriel, and secretary, Omolaye Emmanuel, the group accused the university authorities led by Vice Chancellor Professor Kayode Adebowale of arbitrarily suspending Aduwo Ayodele and Mide Gbadegesin for four semesters, while also victimising another student activist, Nice Linus.

According to the group, the suspensions were not based on any credible evidence of wrongdoing but on “the deliberate fabrication that a peaceful protest—a democratic right of students—has somehow become a crime within the walls of the institution.”

The statement noted that the students were punished for holding placards inscribed with #FeesMustFall, describing the action as a clear attempt by management to “criminalise free expression, punish dissent and create a climate of fear that leaves students silenced and subdued.”

“The University of Ibadan has reduced itself into a theatre where repression, rather than dialogue, has become the official response to the legitimate demands of students,” the group alleged.

Beyond demanding reinstatement, the CSM accused the university of financial mismanagement, alleging that despite receiving allocations from the Federal Government, the institution has failed to provide a clear and credible account of how its resources have been utilised.

They called on the Federal Government to institute an independent inquiry into UI’s finances over the past ten years.

“The truth which the management wishes to conceal through its victimisation of students is that it is the University of Ibadan itself that is guilty of the most grievous offences,” the statement added.

The group cited “appalling” campus conditions including unhygienic toilets, dilapidated classrooms, poorly equipped laboratories, deforestation of the university environment, and multiple duplicated fees as evidence of neglect of student welfare.

The statement also accused the Vice Chancellor of interfering with the autonomy of student organisations on campus, alleging that management has silenced independent voices and manipulated union leadership.

It further condemned the “physical assault” of students by the institution’s security operatives led by the Chief Security Officer, noting that no one has been held accountable for the incidents.

The CSM urged students to resist what it described as “the illusion of normalcy” on campus, calling for a united demand that the Students’ Union leadership led by Covenant Odedele convene a student Congress at the beginning of the new semester on August 25.

“We want to unreservedly remind students that the greatest danger lies in accepting the false belief that all is well on campus, particularly when the conditions under which students live, learn and struggle are deplorable,” the group warned.

The group outlined its key demands as follows:

1. Immediate reinstatement of Aduwo Ayodele, Mide Gbadegesin, and the discontinuation of the disciplinary proceedings against Nice Linus.

2. Public accountability of received and utilised funds by the university management.

3. Democratic management of the University of Ibadan.

4. Independence of the Students’ Union from undue interference.

The group also appealed to the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, the Ministry of Education, the Federal Government, and the international community to intervene and hold the Vice Chancellor and management accountable for what it called “reckless and anti-student actions.”