Editorial: July 17: The Day Uites Conquered Fear

“My people self dey fear too much
We fear for the thing we no see
We fear for the air around us
We fear to fight for freedom
We fear to fight for liberty
We fear to fight for justice
We fear to fight for happiness
We always get reason to fear”
These evocative lyrics from Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s “Sorrow, Tears, and Blood” have long mirrored the Nigerian society’s pervasive culture of fear and passive endurance. Nigerians, known for their stoic acceptance of hardship and systemic injustices, often shy away from challenging the status quo. Unfortunately, the students of the University of Ibadan (Uites), as a microcosm of this broader society, have not been exempt from this paralyzing fear.
Since the protest led by Ojo Aderemi on May 29, 2017, Uites have faced significant repression. The brutal aftermath of that protest, which included the suspension of the Students’ Union and the expulsion of key Union leaders, instilled a deep-seated fear among students. For years, this fear silenced their voices and stifled their willingness to stand up against injustices on campus. Even after the Students’ Union was reinstated in 2019, successive administrations, including the current Aweda-Bolaji UISU leadership, have consistently avoided the critical responsibility of organizing mass student actions.
Over the years, Uites have faced numerous neo-liberal policies that have exacerbated their hardships. Successive increments in tuition fees, the introduction of laboratory and studio fees, and skyrocketing accommodation fees have compounded the financial burdens on students, particularly in the face of the country’s ongoing economic struggles. This session, a shocking 200% hike in fees was announced, adding to the students’ woes and triggering widespread discontent.
Despite repeated calls for action, the Union leadership has consistently shied away from amplifying the students’ voices. The recent cancellation of the scheduled Congress further underscored the Union’s reluctance to confront the administration. This pattern of evasion was not new; it mirrored the tactics of the previous Samson Tobiloba administration. The students’ frustration reached a boiling point when, on July 16, a memo from the University management announced the rationing of electricity supply, despite the recent introduction of a twenty-thousand-naira utility fee. This was the last straw.
On July 17, 2024, Uites finally overcame their fears and took to the streets to demand their rights. The protest began spontaneously around 10 p.m. on July 16, as students from the male halls of residence started converging without any directive from the Students’ Union executive. The Union leader were eventually compelled to join the movement as it gained momentum. Thousands of students marched to the Vice-Chancellor’s lodge in the dark of night, and then to the Registrar’s quarters on Ijoma Road, where they spent hours articulating their demands and strategizing for the protest.
The protest reconvened at 5 a.m. on July 17, with students declaring a lecture boycott among other resolutions. In a powerful display of unity, masked students shut down the main gate and picketed the Tekena Tamuno building, where a two-phased meeting with the management was held. It is important to note that the management had not granted the Union a meeting since May, further fueling the students’ frustration..
Journalism, as the first draft of history, plays a crucial role in documenting these significant events. This editorial seeks to present the facts as they transpired, to prevent any future attempts at revisionism.
On July 17, Uites conquered their fears and collectively raised their voices to demand their rights. This momentous event must be remembered not only as a triumph over fear but as a critical turning point in the history of student activism at the University of Ibadan. It is imperative that we sustain this newfound consciousness and ensure that we never revert to an era of docility.