The University of Abuja has rusticated a student, Cyprian Igwe for urging colleagues to protest against the recent hike in school fees in a WhatsApp group message. The school also accused Igwe and one other student, Olamilekan Oladeru, of circulating an “inciteful press release”. In the message, Igwe expressed his deep sadness at the exorbitant fees and hoped the student union government was paying attention. He invited his colleagues to a meeting where they could collectively decide the next course of action.
The university, in a “rustication letter” dated May 26, 2023, which was sighted by a correspondent suggested that the actions of both students were capable of jeopardising the peaceful conduct of academic activities in the university and a breach of the University Matriculation Oath. The letter also revealed that both students facilitated and circulated the information in the alleged inciteful press release.
In a tweet following his rustication, Igwe demanded public support for the indigent, stating that if the poor cannot go to school, the necessary education may not be attained. He used the hashtags #HumanRightsDefenders, #uniabuja, #humanitarian, #NoToUniabujaSchoolFeesHike and #poorhaverighttoeducation to pass his message.
This incident marks a growing trend where students expressing their displeasure at the hike of tuition fees are being repressed. The authorities must always consider the plight of the students when making such decisions, as the goal should be to provide education to all Nigerians who need and deserve it.
