UNILAG Under Police Siege Amid Students' Protest for Restoration of Students' Union

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) campus recently witnessed heightened tensions as students protested the dissolution of the Students’ Union by the university management. Heavily armed police were deployed in response to the protests, which demanded the restoration of the union following promises made by the administration.

Jun 26, 2024 - 14:35

UNILAG Under Police Siege Amid Students' Protest for Restoration of Students' Union

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) campus witnessed escalated tensions on Monday as heavily armed police officers were deployed in response to student protests demanding the restoration of the Students’ Union. This comes after the school management dissolved the executive and legislative arms of the University of Lagos Students’ Union (ULSU).

Students, led by vocal leaders such as Oyelumade Oluwakemi, voiced their dissatisfaction with the university management's failure to fulfill promises to reinstate the union, citing poor welfare conditions and high costs of goods and services on campus as key grievances.

In a statement, Oyelumade Oluwakemi expressed disappointment over the management's lack of concrete actions despite assurances given in previous negotiations. He emphasized the importance of the Students' Union in advocating for student interests and fostering leadership among the student body.

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The Students’ Solidarity Group Against Fees Hike (SSG) had previously mobilized under the #FeesMustFall campaign, prompting negotiations where promises to reinstate the union were made by the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola.

Efforts to reach UNILAG's head of communications, Mrs. Adejoke Alaga-Ibrahim, for comment were unsuccessful.

The Education Reforms Council (ERC) condemned UNILAG's Senate decision to dissolve ULSU, describing it as an assault on students' democratic rights. The ERC demanded the immediate restoration of the union and criticized the university's imposition of undertaking and indemnity forms on students and parents, which they viewed as intimidation tactics.