UNILAG Suspends GST Examination Following Disturbance, Promises Resolution
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, has suspended its General Studies (GST) examination for the first semester of the 2023/2024 academic calendar due to disruptions caused by rowdiness among students. The decision was announced by the Head of the university’s Communications Unit, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, who confirmed that the disturbance occurred at one of the examination halls being used for the paper.
According to reports, an unspecified number of students were injured, and others fainted while rushing to enter the examination at the computer-based test center of the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) on the campus. Mrs. Alaga-Ibraheem assured that the affected students who fainted were promptly attended to by medical emergency service providers stationed at the scene.
Expressing the university's concern over the situation, Mrs. Alaga-Ibraheem stated, “We are not happy about the situation, but we are already working on addressing it.” She further mentioned that the university is evaluating the circumstances to develop an improved system for future examinations.
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The management of UNILAG, in a statement announcing the suspension of the examination, cited a review of the issues affecting the examination over the past two days as the basis for the decision. The statement expressed regret for any inconvenience caused and assured that a new date/schedule for the GST examination would be communicated in due course.
Meanwhile, the Parents Forum of the university issued a statement appealing for calm and urging an amicable resolution to the situation. The forum expressed displeasure over the experiences encountered by some students during the examination and called for administrative measures to address the issues.
In response to the suspension, the Students’ Solidarity Against Fee Hike demanded a halt to all exams until the atmosphere becomes conducive. The group also called for the provision of proper infrastructure, including electricity, water, and adequately spacious halls for examinations. Additionally, they urged the government to reverse recent fee hikes, warning of potential mass action if their demands are not met.
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The university administration is expected to work swiftly to address the concerns raised by students and ensure the smooth conduct of examinations in the future, while also attending to infrastructure challenges to create a conducive learning environment.
