Meet Adeola,OAU Student Activist Who Spent 13 Years for a 5-year Course

In 1986, at the age of 25, he embarked on his academic journey.However, upon arriving at OAU, he found that the student union, which had initially attracted him, had been banned. He became a vocal advocate for the restoration of student unionism.

Meet Adeola,OAU Student Activist Who Spent 13 Years for a 5-year Course

Adeola Soetan's academic journey is nothing short of extraordinary. He enrolled in a 5-year Agriculture program at Obafemi Awolowo University in 1986, but it took him 13 years to complete it. Here's how it happened:

He was inspired to return to school after an encounter with confident and articulate student leaders from OAU while working at Nigeria Television Authority. In 1986, at the age of 25, he embarked on his academic journey.However, upon arriving at OAU, he found that the student union, which had initially attracted him, had been banned. He became a vocal advocate for the restoration of student unionism.

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Just four months into his studies, he was allegedly identified as one of the students who stoned a government representative during a convocation. He was rusticated indefinitely, despite being asleep during the incident.

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Adeola Soetan fought to prove his innocence in court but ultimately lost. However, the student union encouraged rusticated students to return, and the university reluctantly agreed.His academic journey took another tumultuous turn when he was elected as the student union President in 1990, coinciding with national student protests, an attempted coup, and the abduction of two lecturers by security agents.

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In 1991, a nationwide student boycott was called for, and a cult group posted warnings against campus rallies and protests. During a student congress, Adeola Soetan was attacked and seriously injured by armed cultists. The ensuing violence led to a two-week university closure.

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After returning to campus, he was once again expelled, this time for failing to register for two semesters, despite his time in police cells and prison.His journey involved legal battles, and he eventually completed a five-year program in 13 years, passing through four different Vice Chancellors.