Amnesty International (AI) has called for the lifting of the suspension of three students at the University of Ibadan (UI).
In 2024, the students — Aduwo Ayodele (department of history), Nice Linus (faculty of law), and Mide Gbadegesin (Institute of African Studies) — attended the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected Students’ Union Government (SUG) executives for the 2023/2024 academic year.
A few moment before the inaugural speech of the SUG president, the students were said to have raised placards with the inscription ‘FEESMUSTFALL’ in protest against imminent increase in school fees.
The students claimed they did not chant, shout, obstruct movement, or interfere with the ceremony.
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However, they alleged that they were forcefully dragged out of the venue by the school’s internal security officers.
They also alleged physical assault by the security officers who later handed over to the Nigerian Army.
The three students claimed they have been accused of gross misconduct bordering on insubordination/unruly behaviour by UI.
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In a letter signed by Isa Sanusi, the director of Amnesty International Nigeria, the suspended students petitioned the agency over “violation of their human rights”.
In the letter dated July 18, 2025, Amnesty International said the students claimed they had been presented before separate disciplinary proceedings by the school management
The organisation stated that the students claimed the disciplinary proceedings have been prolonged, intimidating and designed to suppress dissent, rather than uphold justice or fairness.
Amnesty International argued that the students’ acts are in line with their “freedom of expression and assembly”.
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The group stated that the students’ rights can only be restricted “if in the interests of national security, public safety, public order, public morality, public health or for the protection of the rights of others”.
Amnesty International demanded that the suspension be reversed and the university should restore their status to enable them to return to their academic activities.
“The raising of ‘placards with scandalous inscriptions against school fees increment’ is in exercise of the trio students’ rights to freedom of expression and assembly and does not fall within the allowable restrictions,” the letter reads.
“Desist from victimising the trio students because it limits their rights to freely enjoy their educational pursuit and co-exist among the community of students.
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“Allow the trio students to continue and complete their educational pursuit, because their suspension amounts to violation of their rights to educational development, freedom of expression and assembly.
“Ensure that justice, accountability and respect for human rights are always upheld. Amnesty International is a movement of more than 10 million people which mobilizes the humanity in everyone and campaigns for change so that we can all enjoy our human rights. Out of the 10 million, Nigeria has a strong base of more than 600,000 members and supporters.”
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The letter was also sent to the National Human Rights Commission in Abuja and the executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
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