A Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, lifted the four-semester suspension slammed on three students by the University of Ibadan for their involvement in a protest against a hike in school fees in May 2024.
Mrs Oyeyemi Aduwo, mother of Ayodele Aduwo, one of the students who was suspended, speaks with GBENGA OLONINIRAN in this interview
What is your view about the court judgment?
I am grateful to God. Some people asked me, “What offence did my son commit?” I said he committed no offence. He only expressed himself in a way he felt he could. And how did he do it? He did it just to be heard, just for his voice to be heard.
He did it by raising placards to express himself, to make his voice heard that fees must fall.
Should education be free?
Education is a right. It is a social right. If children are not educated, you will go out there and see hoodlums, thugs, and people disturbing the peace of society.
What’s your advice for parents who may be dissuaded by the victimisation of their wards?
My advice to parents is that we should stand by our children, come what may. Especially if they have not committed any offence, we should be able to fight for justice.
We shouldn’t be silenced. Silence is intimidation. It is victimisation. It is molestation. Our voices must be heard. We are Nigerians. We have that fundamental human right to speak out and express ourselves. Our voices must be heard.
What can you say about the students’ action?
They did it in a very peaceful way. I want to thank the student community for coming out this way to fight for their rights. Justice must prevail.
Were you at any point in time down emotionally because of your son’s suspension by the university?
I wasn’t, because I was on the journey with my boy. Although he did not tell me before he spoke out to make his voice heard, when I got to know what transpired, they carried me along. I had not at any time been destabilised or demoralised. I said we would be there together until victory was achieved. And I give glory to God today because He has fought for us, and justice has been done.
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