It is a Scandalous Day at the University of Ibadan
The problem did not begin when “Fees Must Fall’ was termed a scandalous inscription against school fee increments. On that infamous Monday, May 13th 2024, when three students: then second-year History student, Aduwo Ayodele, Post-Graduate Institute of African Studies student, Olamide Gbadegesin, and second-year Law student, Nice Linus, protested the unfair school fee hike at the inauguration ceremony for the Aweda Bolaji-led Students’ Union, the problem was already deep-seated. It was in the atmosphere around Trenchard Hall, while simultaneously existing everywhere else at this nation’s oldest university. Barely two months over the two-year mark, and one year after a protest in the spirit of that first demonstration, we once again find ourselves at a junction that requires us to examine the ‘scandalous’.
Our examination will consider the past, present, and future, but not in that exact order. We will reflect on certain actions by the University management, students, and the prevalence of this not-so-new culture of persecution, what they mean in the long term, and what the truly scandalous is.
By way of continuation, let’s re-visit May 13th, 2024. Following their disruption of the ceremony, the three students (#UIThree) in question were whisked away by operatives of the Oyo State Security outfit code-named ‘Operation Bust’. They were beaten and forcefully dragged out and allegedly handed over to the outfit on the pretext of “violence between two cult groups”, per Aduwo’s statement to FIJ. They were released that same day. But it was far from over.
About two weeks later, on Monday, May 28th, 2024, both Aduwo and Olamide received queries from the University, accusing them of ‘gross misconduct and unruly behaviour in the presence of the Vice-Chancellor and other members of the university management’. About a month later, on June 26th, 2024, all three (including Nice Linus) were invited for a July 2nd questioning before a committee at the school’s Students’ Affairs Conference. This past Monday, 14th July 2025, Aduwo and Olamide were suspended for four semesters, with a refrain from participating in Students’ Union activities, and also a requirement to attend a counselling session.
It is here that we find one of the many scandalous aspects of this whole situation: UI Management reneging on an agreement not to persecute these students. At the second meeting between UI student leaders and the university management on July 17th, 2024 – the second day of protests against unfair living conditions at the University – there was a resolution to put an end to the victimisation of students, particularly those involved in the peaceful May 13th protest. But of course, this was not upheld. The gentleman’s agreement was breached. It’s an action that would have led to severe reprimands were the situation reversed, but sadly, only one side is expected to act fairly.
It’s further scandalous that the sentiment shared by the #UIThree appeared to be the same for thousands of others, yet was treated like an abomination of an ask. In the two school fee payment exercises since May last year, many students have faced indignities owing to their inability to meet school fee deadlines. This exists even with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).Suppose the University can understand this, to the point of extending deadlines, and even shutting down activities for three weeks. In that case, they should be able to understand the motive behind a call for reduction. The point of university education is learning to ask questions and imbibe knowledge at a level that makes us indispensable to the machinery of society. It’s no good producing intellectuals whose only skill is regurgitation; zombies who only follow suit, who challenge nothing.
Seven years ago, Adekunle Adebajo, then a Law student and, coincidentally, a multiple award-winning campus journalist like Aduwo, was also unfairly suspended. His crime was writing a ‘scandalous’ article about the cosmetic renovation of Kenneth Mellanby Hall. According to the University authorities, the article contained “highly defamatory contents which are capable of bringing the name of the university into disrepute” and “portrayed him as someone who is rude, a false proclaimer and very insubordinate”. On the matter, famed investigative journalist and founder of Foundation for Investigative Journalism and fellow UCJ UI alumnus, Fisayo Soyombo, “Adebajo wrote nothing but the truth”.
To repurpose his words, “Aduwo and Olamide wrote and stood for nothing but the truth”. Mr Adebajo is now a globally acclaimed journalist whose words still ring through today. The University still ignores certain vital needs of students. Just two days ago, a Sahara Report article revealed that UI spent 358 million Naira on refreshments/meals (134 million Naira) and honorarium/sitting allowances (224 million Naira). When you compare that amount to the 168 million Naira spent on research and other teaching-related expenses and 23 million Naira spent on laboratory and teaching materials, the picture that emerges is a scandalous, downright reprehensible one. How rational is it to then expect students not to decry these conditions? We are students taught that a mind that knows is free. We are encouraged to seek truth, with the expectation that someday, we will lead our institutions to greater heights. But when we invoke Chapter V of the Student Information Handbook, which states that “the legitimate expression of differing opinions and concerns is an essential part of the academic community”, we are told that our opinions aren’t legitimate enough. In worst-case scenarios like these, they disavow us from the same academic community for a session or two or as long as they deem fit.
Sadly enough, even fellow students agree with this verdict of suspension. The leaders of the Students’ Union, who are meant to protect the interests of members, have been dumb for the duration of this ordeal. On X (fka Twitter), birthday fliers and crass banter with students of other institutions are prevalent. The other social media pages read like an extension of the University administration. There’s no doubt whatsoever that if this set of leaders were in Office in 2017, they would have contributed to the sabotage of Ojo Aderemi’s charge for UItes. They would have held stakeholder meetings in dank recesses, patting themselves on the shoulder for doing their best possible. These are students like them under undue fire. These are the students with whom they marched on this same day last year, and again in August, and three times in February this year. Elections were at the door so the acts were essential. Now, we see them for what they truly are; uncaring, comfortable with their proximity to power, and the death of true Unionism.
It is scandalous that so-called student leaders see a moment like this as one for politicking rather than solidarity. Pitiful! If this is the brotherhood you all preach, then most UItes better pray to not be in need of this familial bond. It’s even better to be an enemy. At least, that way there’s no confusion when help fails to arrive. Come November, these so-called elders will don regalia to celebrate their service to students. And expectedly, they will recieve support. From freshers who have no inkling of what true brotherhood looks like and sycophants whose mouths are firmly planted behind back-pockets.
It is a scandalous day to be a student of the University of Ibadan. The ten-hour electricity schedule we protested against last year is still the norm. Alexander Brown Hall residents have to make do with two hours less. Fees are higher than they were without an equivalent rise in the quality of living. Students who peacefully aired their grieviance with the system have been punished unfairly. Others who have protested in other forms are on the chopping block. Ours is a University that wants us to remain placid at all costs. And if we do not take a stand today, even with the simplest reposts and shared fliers, ours will descend into one that polices speech and thought further.
Yes, the task before us is hard. But it is one we can not avoid any longer. A day will come when this country will ask us why we didn’t speak. When it does, we hope UItes do not have to hide in shame, dead to the plight of our colleagues.
PC: Rodiyah Khidir
Editor’s note: This piece is an original publication of the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan.
