Court Orders University Of Ibadan To Restore Suspended Students Over Tuition Hike Protest

According to Ireporter Online, the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has ordered the immediate reinstatement of three University of Ibadan students who were suspended for taking part in a protest against a hike in tuition fees.

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Nkeonye Maha nullified the decision of the university’s Central Student Disciplinary Committee, holding that the disciplinary process breached the students’ constitutional right to fair hearing. The court ruled that the affected students—Aduwo Ayodele, Mide Gbadegesin, and Nice Linus—must be fully reinstated.

The students were suspended on July 14, 2025, after joining a protest sparked by a circular from the university’s governing council announcing an upward review of school charges for both new and returning undergraduates. The circular, signed by the council’s secretary, G.O. Saliu, outlined new payment directives and deadlines for registration ahead of examinations.

Dissatisfied with the suspension, the students approached the court, alleging that they were denied the opportunity to defend themselves during the disciplinary proceedings. They argued that they were not allowed to call witnesses or present video evidence in their defence, which they said amounted to a violation of their rights under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.

They further sought the reversal of the disciplinary sanctions, reinstatement of their full academic privileges, protection from further disciplinary action over their participation in the protest, and damages for alleged rights violations.

In her ruling, Justice Maha agreed with the applicants, stating that the university’s disciplinary committees failed to observe the principles of natural justice. The court held that the denial of fair hearing rendered the sanctions invalid and consequently set aside the suspension.

Reacting to the judgment, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) described the ruling as a victory for constitutional rights, urging the university to comply fully by reinstating the students and issuing an apology. The organisation also referenced claims of alleged mistreatment of the students during the incident, noting that the court observed the university did not dispute the allegations.

CAPPA further warned that the ruling should serve as a caution to academic institutions against the suppression of dissent, stressing that lawful expression and student activism are protected under the Nigerian Constitution.