In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of NANS JCC Lagos, Comrade Ridwan Ajayi, the group accused the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, of using the institution’s disciplinary panel to suppress student activism.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council (JCC), Lagos State Axis, has condemned what it describes as renewed attempts by the University of Ibadan (UI) administration to persecute student activists, including Comrade Aduwo Ayodele and two other students leaders.
In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of NANS JCC Lagos, Comrade Ridwan Ajayi, the group accused the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, of using the institution’s disciplinary panel to suppress student activism.
“The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council, Lagos State Axis, condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempt to resume the persecution of Comrade Aduwo Ayodele and two other courageous student leaders of the University of Ibadan by the Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale-led tyrannical administration, as evidenced by their latest summon to appear before the Central Student Disciplinary Committee,” the statement read.
The group noted that the latest disciplinary summon is the third such instance, describing it as “a blatant assault on the soul of students’ unionism.”
“This latest summon — the third in a pattern of vindictive political persecutions — is nothing but a blatant assault on the soul of students’ unionism and a gross abuse of institutional authority. It is a continuation of a calculated campaign of intimidation and suppression, weaponised against these student leaders for daring to challenge the unjust policies of the university — particularly their role in the struggle for fee hikes, student welfare and social justice.”
Rejecting the process as politically motivated, the NANS Lagos leadership warned that the action would only strengthen student resistance.
“We declare, without fear or apology, that this clampdown will not work. It will only fuel the momentum of a growing student movement and further expose the rot at the core of leadership in many tertiary institutions and their shameful alignment with oppressive governance structures.”
The statement further defended the actions of the affected student leaders, insisting they had done nothing illegal.
“These students have committed no crime. They have simply exercised their constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Describing the university’s actions as an “attempt to silence resistance,” the group emphasised that the ongoing suppression reflects a deeper administrative failure.
“We are not deceived by the false moral high ground of this process. This is not discipline; it is dictatorship in motion. It is an attempt to silence resistance and implant fear into the hearts of young activists across the country.”
”But let it be known: this fear will not hold. The Professor Adebowale-led administration fears the voice of students more than it fears its own administrative failure.”
“Victimising students for participating in peaceful protests and holding opposing views is not only unacceptable, it is a dangerous affront to democracy and justice. History has shown that no authoritarian regime has ever successfully silenced a just cause. And this, too, shall fail.”
NANS JCC Lagos called on students and allies across the country to speak out against what it described as “shameless tyranny.”
“We therefore call on all students across the University of Ibadan, comrades in NANS JCC Oyo State, the leadership of NANS South West (Zone D), and the NANS National Secretariat to rise without hesitation and with a united voice against this shameless tyranny. The time to act is now — and silence in this moment is betrayal.”
The group listed its demands as follows:
”Immediate withdrawal of all disciplinary charges against Comrade Aduwo and his fellow comrades.”
“A full and independent investigation into the abuse of disciplinary panels as political tools of suppression.”
“And an end to administrative impunity and the criminalisation of students’ activism in Nigeria.”
The statement concluded with a vow of continued resistance.
“The leadership of NANS JCC Lagos stands in full, militant, and unyielding solidarity with Comrade Aduwo Ayodele and all student leaders facing persecution in UI. We remember — with revolutionary gratitude — how Comrade Aduwo stood by us in Lagos during the days of the UNILAG #FeesMustFall struggle. Today, we return that solidarity with even more fire, more rage, and more resolve.”
”We will not fold our arms while our comrades are sacrificed on the altar of fear, tyranny, and cowardice.”
The people’s insight earlier reported that the University of Ibadan in Oyo State has again summoned three students to appear before its Central Student Disciplinary Committee for allegedly obstructing the swearing-in ceremony of the 2023/2024 Students’ Union executives — an action the students insist was nothing more than a peaceful protest being punished to silence student activism.
According to an internal memorandum signed by S. O. Oyewumi, Deputy Registrar (Students), Aduwo Ayodele, a 400-level History student, and two other students have been invited to appear before the panel on Monday, 14 July 2025, at 9.30 a.m. in the Senate Chamber of the University.
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