An undergraduate student, Cyprian Igwe has been dismissed from the University of Abuja due to a WhatsApp group message in which he encouraged peers to oppose the most recent increase in tuition.
The university, in a “rustication letter” dated May 26, 2023, claimed that Mr Igwe’s WhatsApp message was an “inciteful press release”, the message as quoted by journalists from Mr Igwe, reads-
“Good evening, house. We will be having a meeting tomorrow by 6:00 pm in regards to school fees, let’s know our way forward. I am deeply in pain, many students can’t pay, I hope the SUG President is in this group. I need everyone’s ideas.
“I’d rather risk my life, my admission than see thousands of students drop out. If the spirit of Aluta lives in us. It has to wake up. Please be part of this meeting.”
In response to his request, the university, in a “rustication letter” dated May 26, 2023, signed by the Deputy Registrar (Academic) on behalf of the Registrar, UniAbuja, accused Igwe and another student, Olamilekan Oladeru, of disseminating an “inciteful press release“.
The letter says-
“You will recall that on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, an inciteful press release was made available to the public, purportedly signed by the Student Union Government’s President and Speaker.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that you and Oladeru Samson Olamilekan (18291126) facilitated and circulated the information.
“Your actions are capable of jeopardising the peaceful and smooth conduct of academic activities in the university and a breach of the University Matriculation Oath.
“By the powers conferred on the Vice-Chancellor as contained in the University of Abuja Act, he, on behalf of the Senate, has directed your immediate rustication from the university.
“Accordingly, you are banned from all university campuses pending the determination of the case.”
In the meanwhile, Igwe tweeted a follow-up on Friday night announcing his rustication and pleading for public assistance for the poor, Igwe wrote-
“Today, I was rusticated from the University of Abuja because of my post on my SUG WhatsApp group.
“If the poor can’t go to school, we don’t have the education we deserve. #HumanRightsDefenders #uniabuja #humanitarian #NoToUniabujaSchoolFeesHike #poorhaverighttoeducation.”
cc: Punch Ng
