The University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, has summoned three students to appear before its Central Student Disciplinary Committee over their involvement in a peaceful protest against a proposed hike in school fees; a move critics say is a targeted clampdown on student dissent.
The students, including Aduwo Ayodele, a 400-level History student, were issued formal disciplinary notices accusing them of “insubordination and unruly behaviour” after they staged a symbolic demonstration during the swearing-in of the 2023/2024 Students’ Union leadership.
Notably, Ayodele was among the participants for Accountability and Community Investigation Workshop organised by the Patriot Institute of Journalism and Arts (PIJA) Foundation last month.
A memo signed by S. O. Oyewumi, Deputy Registrar (Students), directed the students to appear before the panel at 9.30 a.m. on Monday, 14 July 2025, at the University’s Senate Chamber.
“You are invited to appear before the Central Student Disciplinary Committee… The meeting is a continuation of the investigation on the allegation of misconduct bordering on insubordination/unruly behaviour — to wit: obstruction of the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected executives of the Students’ Union,” the memo read in part.
“Failure to honour this invitation may earn you disciplinary action,” it added.
The incident that triggered the disciplinary proceedings dates back to 13 May 2024, when Ayodele and other students held up placards with the inscription #FeesMustFall during the inauguration of the Students’ Union. The protest, according to the students, was peaceful and aimed at drawing attention to the rising cost of public education and the creeping commercialisation of Nigerian universities.
“This year-long persecution stems from a simple symbolic protest. We called on the University, the new Students’ Union leadership, and well-meaning Nigerians to resist fee hikes and save the future of education,” Ayodele said.
“We were not violent. We were only holding placards when security personnel pounced on us. We were beaten, dragged out of the hall, and handed over to operatives of the Nigerian Army. Since then, we have been subjected to repeated disciplinary panels.”
The protest, which lasted a few minutes, has since snowballed into a prolonged institutional response that student activists say is designed to intimidate and silence legitimate criticism.
“What UI is doing is punishing free expression. They are targeting students for speaking truth to power. This is bigger than us — it is about academic freedom and the right to protest in a democracy,” Ayodele added.
Students and rights groups have consistently called on the Nigerian Government, the academic community, and the global education rights movement to intervene, warning that UI’s disciplinary action could set a dangerous precedent for silencing dissent in higher institutions.
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