Amnesty International has called on Professor Kayode Adebowale, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, to swiftly lift the suspension placed on three students who were penalised for peacefully protesting an anticipated hike in tuition fees.
In a letter dated July 14, 2025, addressed to the Vice Chancellor, the global human rights group expressed serious concerns about what it termed as “allegations of human rights abuses” against the affected students. The organisation demanded the reinstatement of Aduwo Ayodele (History Department), Nice Linus (Law Faculty), and Mide Gbadegesin (Institute of African Studies), insisting that they be allowed to return to school without any further intimidation or repression.
Amnesty said the students had earlier submitted a petition on July 11, 2025, narrating the events surrounding a peaceful protest they staged in 2024 during the swearing-in of the Students’ Union executives for the 2023/2024 session.
According to their account, the demonstration occurred shortly before the Students’ Union President was to deliver his inauguration speech. The three students reportedly stood up and held placards reading “FEESMUSTFALL” as a symbolic expression of discontent over the looming increase in school fees.
They further clarified that they did not chant, disrupt movement, shout, or interfere with the ceremony in any way, stressing that their protest was strictly nonviolent and did not breach public order.
Despite this, the students alleged that they were violently removed from the venue by the university’s internal security team. They claimed they were assaulted and subsequently handed over to soldiers from the Nigerian Army.
Following the incident, the university authorities accused them of “gross misconduct and insubordination” and subjected them to what Amnesty International labelled as “dual disciplinary proceedings.”
The students described the process as unnecessarily prolonged, intimidating, and more focused on silencing dissent than on delivering justice or fairness.
Their latest disciplinary hearing, which took place on Monday, July 14, 2025, ended in a four-semester suspension for all three students.
Amnesty International, however, emphasised that the students’ actions were protected under Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees.
“The act of raising placards against school fee hikes is a legitimate form of exercising the students’ rights to free speech and peaceful assembly,” the group stated.
It reiterated that the rights to freedom of expression and assembly are protected under the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended), as well as under international and regional human rights conventions. These freedoms, it noted, can only be limited in narrowly defined situations such as national security, public health, or protecting the rights of others.
Amnesty’s Demands To UI Management
In view of the allegations, Amnesty International urged the university to reverse the suspension of Aduwo Ayodele, Nice Linus, and Mide Gbadegesin. The organisation demanded their immediate reinstatement and warned against further punitive actions, arguing that continued victimisation infringes on their right to education and inclusion within the academic community.
The group also stressed the importance of allowing the students to complete their education without interference, describing their suspension as a violation of their rights to educational advancement and lawful expression.
Furthermore, Amnesty called on the institution to uphold the principles of fairness, accountability, and respect for human rights in handling student matters going forward.
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