Global human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has condemned the fee hike at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The organisation, through its Nigerian chapter, also called on the management of UI not to victimise through the expulsion of three students of the university who protested the hike.
The PUNCH reports that the three students, namely Olamide Gbadegeshin of the Institute of African Studies, Aduwo Ayodele of the History Department, 200 level, and a female, Nice Linus, faced a disciplinary panel today (Tuesday) at the university.
On May 13, 2024, the students, alongside others, including an activist, Olorunfemi Adeyeye, were apprehended and bundled into a van by officers of the Nigerian Army during the protest against fee hike on the campus.
In query letters delivered to the students by the management on May 27, about two weeks after the incident, the students were accused of disrupting the inauguration of the current Students’ Union administration through their protest, which the management described as “disrespectful” and “gross misconduct.”
Reacting on Tuesday, @AmnestyNigeria on X.com wrote, “Amnesty International calls on the University of Ibadan @UniIbadan to rescind plans to expel three students for exercising their human rights; by participating in a protest against an outrageous fee hike that — so far — forced many students to withdraw from university education.”
“The University of Ibadan had invited the three students: Olamide Gbadegeshin, Aduwo Ayodele and Nice Linus to appear before a ‘disciplinary committee’ in what appears to be an attempt to intimidate them. In the face of the worst economic crisis, universities should be reducing fees,” it added, posting pictures of the three students.
The National Association of Nigerian Students in April denounced the “outrageous” fee hike for new UI students, citing financial burdens imposed on families already grappling with economic challenges.
NANS Public Relations Officer, Victor Igbudu, said the fee increase for the 2023/2024 academic session, which ranged from N230,000 to 412,000, was deemed unacceptable.
The UI Dean of Student Affairs, Professor I. A Abiona, could not be reached for comments on Tuesday as his line was switched off.