CAPPA Slams UI For Suspending Students Over Peaceful Protest, Demands Immediate Reinstatement
The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has strongly criticised the University of Ibadan (UI) for suspending three students over a peaceful protest against tuition fee hikes, describing the move as a shameful act of victimisation and repression.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, CAPPA’s Media and Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, condemned the university’s decision to suspend Ayodele Aduwo and Mide Gbadegesin for four semesters following a disciplinary panel session on July 14.
The group also raised concerns over the ongoing trial of a third student, Nice Linus, who was previously elected to the Student Representative Council but had her mandate revoked due to pending disciplinary action.
“These students simply held placards that read ‘No To Fee Hike’. For that, they’ve been hounded, suspended, and labelled troublemakers. But what they actually are is principled young leaders standing up for accessible education,” CAPPA stated.
The organisation accused the university of using authoritarian tactics to silence dissent, warning that such actions violate the constitutional rights to freedom of thought and expression, enshrined in Sections 38 and 39 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.
Zikora Ibeh, CAPPA’s Assistant Executive Director, highlighted the growing financial burden students face, noting that fees in some faculties have skyrocketed by as much as 1,000 per cent from ₦69,000 to over ₦400,000.
“Rather than address the root issues, the university is investing in surveillance and repression, while ignoring student welfare,” Ibeh said.
The group called for the unconditional reinstatement of the affected students and urged civil society, alumni, labour unions, and all concerned Nigerians to rally in their defence.
“Universities are meant to be centres of free thought and learning, not places where students are punished for speaking up,” CAPPA said.
The statement concluded with a promise to continue amplifying the voices of the suspended students, warning that Nigeria’s civic space is shrinking dangerously fast.
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