The Take It Back Movement has said the management of the University of Ibadan is “wasting” public funds by pursuing further legal action over the reinstatement of three students earlier suspended by the institution.
The group, in a statement signed by its Oyo State Coordinator, Dimeji Salako, on Thursday, condemned what it described as attempts by the university management to frustrate the return and continued education of Aduwo Ayodele, Nice Linus and Olamide Gbadegesin.
The three students were suspended in 2024 following their involvement in a fee hike protest on the campus premises. They were initially arrested by soldiers invited to the campus and were later driven to the police station. In April, a Federal High Court in Ibadan ordered that the students’ suspension be lifted.
The TIB noted that rather than comply with the judgment, the university management had continued to explore legal and administrative avenues that could “frustrate” the students’ education, including seeking an injunction to stop the students from resuming classes. The university lost the bid in a court earlier this week, but Third Lens gathered that the management is still appealing the reinstatement of the students.
“The court has spoken. The students have been allowed to return. Yet, rather than respect the authority of the court and move forward, the management continues to explore legal and administrative avenues aimed at frustrating the student’s education,” the statement said.
The TIB described the development as a broader issue concerning respect for the rule of law and students’ fundamental rights in Nigerian universities.
It also questioned the decision to commit institutional resources to prolonged legal proceedings involving the three students, against the backdrop of funding and infrastructure challenges confronting public universities.
“At a time when Nigerian public universities are struggling with inadequate funding, deteriorating infrastructure, overcrowded facilities and numerous challenges affecting students and staff, it is deeply troubling that scarce university resources could be directed towards an extended legal battle,” the group said.
TIB called on the university management to explain to students, staff, parents, alumni and the wider public why institutional resources should continue to be spent on legal proceedings concerning the students’ suspension and reinstatement.
The movement said such funds could instead be directed towards improving classrooms, laboratories, libraries, hostels and other facilities.
“Every naira spent by a public university must serve the educational interest of the university community,” it said.
The TIB further stated that the University of Ibadan’s resources “must not be treated as a personal war chest for settling scores with students.”
The group also criticised what it described as the “criminalisation of student activism” and called for an end to what it termed the persecution of the three students.
“Students are not slaves. University management is not above the law,” the statement said.
The movement demanded the immediate end to the alleged persecution of the students, respect for the court’s judgment, an end to the alleged waste of university resources, an end to the criminalisation of student activism and guarantees for the safety and academic freedom of the three students.
TIB said the dispute extended beyond the three students, arguing that it concerned the rights of students to question policies and demand accountability within public institutions.
“It is about every student who will one day dare to ask questions. It is about every student who will challenge an unjust policy. It is about every student who will demand accountability from those entrusted with public institutions,” the group said.
The movement urged students, academic workers, civil society organisations, parents, alumni and others it described as defenders of democratic rights to demand accountability from the university management.
“The university must obey the law. The UI3 must be allowed to study. University resources must serve education, not persecution,” the statement said.
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