Outcry As OSSCE Ila Suspends 18 Students Indefinitely For Protesting
The Management of Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun, has suspended 18 students of the institution over their alleged involvement in a protest.
The management of the institution, in a statement signed by the Registrar, Adesoji Abiodun, announced the indefinite suspension of the affected students following an emergency meeting held on Thursday, 20th March 2025.
According to the management, the students’ actions disrupted academic activities and posed a threat to the scheduled first-semester examinations for the 2024/2025 academic session.
The authorities described the demonstration as a “destructive protest” and accused the student leaders of failing to engage in prior dialogue before taking to the streets.
“The protest not only disrupted the peaceful atmosphere of the college but also threatened the smooth conduct of academic activities,” the management stated.
However, the suspension has been met with strong resistance from the leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council (JCC), Osun Axis which described the action as an “affront to the fundamental rights of students to express their grievances peacefully.”
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Solomon Ayobami, the student body demanded the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of all affected students, vowing to resist any attempt to suppress students’ voices.
“We, the leadership of NANS JCC Osun Axis, are committed to investigating the root cause of this suspension and ensuring that the students’ voices are heard. We will not stand idly by while the rights of students are trampled upon,” the statement read.
The suspended students have been instructed to vacate the school premises and hand over all college properties in their possession to the Dean of Students.
They are also barred from entering the campus except when officially invited by the school management.
Meanwhile, students of the institution have expressed concern over the development, with many describing the suspension as harsh and unwarranted.
Some students, who spoke to Osun Defender, lamented that the management had failed to engage with the student leadership before taking such drastic action.
“This is pure victimisation. We were only demanding better conditions, yet they decided to silence us with suspension,” a student who pleaded anonymity said.
NANS urged students to remain calm assuring them that efforts are ongoing to ensure justice prevails.
The association has also called on relevant authorities, including the Osun State Government and the Ministry of Education, to intervene and address the situation before it escalates further.
Anuoluwapo Lebi is an ethical and aplomb journalist, zealous for good and ethical journalism practices. His love for investigative journalism is divine and has carved his interest in other topics, including crime, politics, campus, culture, science, community development, and creative writing.
