The University of Ibadan plans to sanction students protesting a fee hike, labeling their actions as gross misconduct. Protests led to detentions and criticism of the administration's heavy-handed response. The controversy has sparked public outrage, with many condemning the university for not addressing the students' concerns.
The University of Ibadan's management has initiated plans to sanction students protesting against a fee hike. In a query dated May 24 and circulated on X, the university’s Dean of Student Affairs, I.Abiona accused the students of gross misconduct for protesting in the presence of the vice-chancellor.
The query detailed that on May 13, 2024, four students, including an unidentified person, disrupted the swearing-in ceremony for newly elected Student Union executives by carrying placards with messages against the fee increase. The university threatened suspension if the students did not respond within 48 hours.
The university stated, “Your actions constitute an act of gross misconduct, particularly unruly behavior in the presence of the vice-chancellor and other members of the university management.”
An activist involved in the protest criticized the university for suppressing dissent instead of addressing the issues raised. He described the protest as peaceful until security officers intervened, leading to their detention for four hours.
The activist said, “This nonsense is expected because our university system is run by autocrats. It was a peaceful protest until they brought security officers, who bundled us out, beat us, and brought in heavily armed soldiers.”
Public reaction on social media has been highly critical of the university's response. One user posted a copy of the query and condemned the management for its heavy-handed approach, stating that students were harassed, degraded, and arrested for demanding a reversal of the fee hike. The user vowed resistance against any punitive measures taken by the university.
