The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has strongly criticized the suspension of over 25 students by Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), labeling it a clear violation of their fundamental rights to free speech and peaceful assembly.
In a statement issued by its Media & Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, CAPPA called for the immediate reinstatement of the affected students and condemned what it described as a growing crackdown on student activism in Nigeria.
The statement read: “NSUK has suspended these students for an entire academic session on flimsy allegations of âcriminal conspiracy, inciting public disturbance, and cyberbullying.â
“Their only supposed crime was belonging to a WhatsApp group formed last year to discuss and mobilize for a peaceful demonstration against the universityâs arbitrary decision to introduce a third semester and impose an extra charge of âŠ20,000 per course for re-registering and resitting carry-over exams.”
Surveillance and Intimidation Allegations
CAPPA further accused the university’s management, led by Prof. Saâadatu Liman, of resorting to surveillance and intimidation tactics rather than addressing students’ concerns.
It claimed that security personnel infiltrated the WhatsApp group to monitor discussions and identify students for punishment.
“For merely participating in discussions within the group, affected students told CAPPA they were tracked, harassed on campus, arrested, and even handcuffed before being taken to the police station, where their phones were confiscated. They spent distressing nights in detention before finally securing bail, only to be handed rustication letters in December 2024,” the statement added.
CAPPA decried these actions as inhumane and a direct infringement on students’ constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful assembly, citing Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).
A Pattern of Repression
According to CAPPA, the clampdown at NSUK is reflective of a broader problem.
“The universityâs decision to nullify its most recent student union election further exposes a disturbing trend of authoritarianism. When it became clear that the managementâs preferred candidate was unlikely to win, the democratic process was simply discarded,” the group alleged.
CAPPA stressed that universities should be bastions of democracy, critical thinking, and intellectual freedom, fostering an environment where students can express themselves without fear of retaliation.
“Unfortunately, many institutions in Nigeria are increasingly being turned into authoritarian spaces that suppress student activism and enforce a culture of silence,” the statement noted.
The group warned that the ultimate goal of such repression is to weaken student consciousness, eliminate resistance to the rising cost of education, and produce graduates who are incapable of challenging societal injustices.
“But what kind of society thrives without critical thinkers? A nation that stifles independent thought and inquiry only breeds conformity, passivity, and stagnation,” CAPPA cautioned.
Call for Immediate Action
Expressing solidarity with the suspended students, CAPPA praised their courage in standing against exploitative policies.
The group urged relevant stakeholders, including education sector unions and civil society organizations, to raise their voices against the injustice.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of all suspended students. Additionally, we call for collective efforts to resist the increasing commercialization of public education and the criminalization of student activism. This creeping dictatorship within Nigerian universities must be stopped,” CAPPA declared.
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