The Campaign for the Defence of Students’ Rights (CDSR) has strongly criticised the suspension of two students from the University of Ibadan—Aduwo Ayodele, a 400-level History student, and Mide Gbadegesin, a 700-level student—condemning the action as an infringement on student rights and a direct attack on academic freedom.
In a statement co-signed by Oyelumade Oluwakemi, the group’s National Coordinator, and National Secretary, Aiyedogbon Temitope, CDSR expressed dismay at what it described as a deeply flawed disciplinary process. The group labelled the university’s handling of the issue as opaque and lacking in fairness.
According to CDSR, the Central Students Disciplinary Committee operated with unchecked authority, assuming the roles of prosecutor, judge, and executioner, while denying the affected students the right to legal representation during the proceedings. The group called out the administration led by Vice Chancellor Professor Kayode Adebowale, asserting that the university’s conduct contradicts its own ideals of promoting knowledge and sound judgement.
The organisation further alleged that the students were targeted for leading protests against a significant increase in school fees—a move they said came at a time of worsening economic conditions in the country.
The suspension, CDSR noted, was closely tied to demonstrations by student leaders who decried the fee hike as exploitative and unjustifiable.
In addition, the group criticised the removal of Nice Linus, a 400-level Law student, from the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), describing the action as a dictatorial effort to suppress the voices of student representatives and crush opposition.
CDSR stressed that universities are meant to be centres for critical thought and democratic engagement, not spaces where students are penalised for expressing dissent or exercising their rights to protest.
The group demanded the immediate reversal of the suspensions and insisted that student rights be fully upheld within the institution.
It further warned that any ongoing suppression of student activism would be met with resistance, pledging to continue exposing what it termed as abuse of authority by the university’s leadership.
The group’s statement read in part: “The Campaign for the Defence of Students’ Rights (CDSR) considers the suspension of Aduwo Ayodele and Mide Gbadegesin by the University of Ibadan an unjust violation of their fundamental rights and a clear assault on the university’s role as a hub for critical thought and development.
“The process that led to this deeply concerning decision was orchestrated by the Central Students Disciplinary Committee. This reflects poorly on the university’s leadership under Vice Chancellor Kayode Adebowale. It represents a distortion of the university’s values through a hasty, one-sided proceeding where students were denied legal assistance. This committee acted simultaneously as investigator, judge, and executioner—a dangerous overreach of power. One wonders how the institution intends to uphold its motto: ‘For Knowledge and Sound Judgement.’
“These students courageously took on leadership roles, speaking up against an outrageous fee hike introduced during a period of economic hardship. In addition to them, Nice Linus—a 400-level Law student—was unjustly removed from the SRC. Such a move signals a clear intention by the university to punish dissent through authoritarian tactics, including the forceful ejection of elected student voices. This conduct is shameful and unacceptable,” the statement continued.
CDSR further stated, “Universities must foster an environment for intellectual debate and encourage student participation in democratic processes—not turn into arenas where student voices are crushed for peacefully protesting or holding placards.
“While the Vice Chancellor may believe that suspending these students sets a powerful example, what it has actually done is fuel our determination to expose the continued misuse of power by university authorities. History will vindicate the just. This display of authoritarianism will not be ignored.
“We therefore demand an immediate reversal of this unjust decision, reinstatement of the affected students, and a genuine respect for the rights of students within the University of Ibadan,” the statement concluded.
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