UI threatens to suspend two students over fee hike protest

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The University of Ibadan in Oyo State has issued formal queries to two students involved in a recent protest against a fee hike on campus.

The students, Olamide Iyanuoluwa from the Institute of African Studies and Aduwo Ayodele, a 200-level student in the Department of History, have been asked to explain their participation in the protest.

The university management has warned that failure to respond to the queries promptly, and with any supporting documents, could lead to their suspension.

This information was detailed in a memo dated May 24, 2024, signed by T.I Musa, the Deputy Registrar (Students) of the university.

Earlier, on May 13, News Round The Clock that Olamide, Aduwo, along with Olorunfemi Adeyeye and Nice Linus, were detained by Nigerian Army officers during the protest against the fee hike on university grounds.

In the memo received by the students on May 27, 2024, they were accused of disrupting the inauguration of the new Students’ Union administration.

The university management labeled their actions as disrespectful and constituted gross misconduct.

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According to the memo, “The Student Affairs Division has received a report from the office of the Vice-Chancellor proffered against you, that on Monday, May 13, 2024, you and three other students including an unknown person (Adeyeye Oluwafemi), disrupted the swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected executives of the Students’ Union.

“At this event, Olamide Gbadegesin Iyanuoluwa, Nice Linus, Adeyeye Oluwafemi (an unknown person), and Aduwo Ayodele carried placards with scandalous inscriptions against school fee increments.

“If this allegation is true, your actions constitute an act of gross misconduct, particularly unruly behaviour in the presence of the Vice-Chancellor and other members of the university management.”

The students were also given a 48-hour ultimatum to defend themselves and state why the accusation did not warrant disciplinary actions, noting that failure to adhere might lead to their studentship suspension.

“Please forward your response with supporting documents, if any, to the Deputy Registrar (Students) within 48 hours of the receipt of this letter, stating why disciplinary action should not be taken against you on account of this allegation.

“Failure to respond to the query within the period stipulated above and/or deliberate release of false information constitutes an act of misconduct which may result in the automatic suspension of your studentship,” the memo concluded.