Global Rights, a non-governmental organization has charged the management of the University of Ibadan (UI) to immediately rescind its expulsion of 3 students – namely Olamide Gbadegeshin, Aduwo Ayodele, and Nice Linus for engaging in a peaceful protest against the sudden hike in tuition fees by the University’s management.
The 3 students, alongside one Olorunfemi Adeyeye, were apprehended by army officers while protesting the fee increase at the inauguration of the Student Union government on May 13, 2024.
The organization made this known in a press release made available to LEADING REPORTERS on Thursday stated that while the action of the students have posed an inconvenience to the administration of the university, extant laws clearly prescribe their right to protest peacefully.
Global Rights explained that it is a well-recognized fact that peaceful protests, especially by young people, have often been an effective means of bringing about positive social change in democratic societies all over the world hence university of Ibadan should therefore not be averse to its students exercising this right.
They maintained that University of Ibadan has a duty to maintain its educational standards and responsibilities to its tutors while navigating the harsh economic terrain, but surely, the university should understand why students will feel the need to protest a significant increase in tuition fees.
Global Rights further advocated that any plans to expel Olamide Gbadegeshin of the Institute of African Studies, Aduwo Ayodele of the History Department (200 level) and Nice Linus from the University of Ibadan be immediately jettisoned.
Also the students should be allowed to resume their studies without any fear of intimidation, harassment, or reprisals from the management and staff of the University of Ibadan.
They added that the security agents who arrested them and Olorunfemi Adeyeye on May 13, 2024, because they peacefully protested, should issue them a swift and unreserved apology.
“The University of Ibadan lead the way for other tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria by engaging mechanisms that encourage ample and robust interactions with students.
“On our part, we stand solidly behind dissenting voices who choose to participate in their governance and seek social justice utilizing their freedom of expression through peaceful protests.”