The University of Ibadan is facing mounting criticism from a student-led coalition over what has been described as the unfair treatment of three undergraduates involved in protests against a recent hike in tuition fees.
The Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neo-Liberal Attacks (ANSA), a student advocacy group active in the South West, issued a statement on Sunday accusing the university of targeting student activists Aduwo Ayodele, Nice Linus, and Mide Gbadegesin for disciplinary action after their involvement in demonstrations opposing the new fees.
According to the group, the students were exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest and defending the rights of their peers—particularly indigent students—who may be forced to drop out due to the increased financial burden.
“The actions of these students were in defence of the right to education,” ANSA said in a statement signed by its South West Coordinator, Comrade Pacheco Ayomide Temidayo, and General Secretary, Comrade Raheem Teminiyi. “Rather than respond to the legitimate concerns raised, the university administration has chosen to deploy intimidation tactics, summoning the students for disciplinary proceedings.”
The group condemned the university’s actions as authoritarian and described the summons as an attempt to silence student voices through fear and repression. It called the development part of a larger trend of university administrations using disciplinary tools to suppress activism on campus.
“Peaceful protest is a right protected by Nigeria’s constitution,” the statement read. “What is unfolding at the University of Ibadan is not just a local incident—it reflects a broader attack on civil liberties within academic spaces.”
ANSA has demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all disciplinary proceedings against the three students, along with a public apology from the university’s leadership. The group also called for the reversal of the tuition hike and increased public investment in education.
In addition, the alliance called on civil society groups and human rights organisations—including Amnesty International, SERAP, the Take It Back Movement, and the Education Rights Campaign—to rally in support of the students and to pressure the institution to reconsider its approach.
“If our demands are ignored, we are ready to mobilise students across the South West and beyond,” the statement warned. “We will resist any attempt to commercialise education or punish those who dare to speak out against it.”
At the time of filing this report, the University of Ibadan had not released an official response to the allegations.