By Gloria Ikibah
University of Lagos (UNILAG) campus witnessed a tense atmosphere on Monday as armed police were deployed following student protests demanding the reinstatement of the Students’ Union.
Naijablitznews.com reports that the management had disbanded the Union’s executive and legislative arms for organizing protests against campus living conditions and high costs of goods and services.
According to a student leader, Oyelumade Oluwakemi, efforts to publicly reinstate the union promised by the Vice-Chancellor last year have not materialized beyond verbal assurances.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had issued an ultimatum which expired today, prompting a heavy security presence at the school gate, interpreted by students as management’s response.
Oluwakemi criticized the management’s failure to uphold promises and highlighted the importance of a student union in advocating for student interests and fostering leadership qualities. He underscored the union’s role as a democratic platform and pressure group for accountability, noting its proscription in 2016 under previous management.
Efforts to obtain comments from the university’s head of communications were unsuccessful, and the Education Reforms Council (ERC) has condemned the dissolution of the union’s arms, labeling it an infringement on students’ rights to association. They also criticized the university’s imposition of undertaking and indemnity forms on students and parents, describing it as an attempt to stifle dissent.
The situation at UNILAG reflects ongoing tensions between students adocating for their rights and university authorities responding with measures that critics argue undermine democratic freedoms.