Tuition hike: UniAbuja cites error, recalls letter rusticating students

The rustication letter issued to two students of the University of Abuja for allegedly inciting their colleagues over a recent hike in school fees has been recalled by the management of the institution.

The Informant247 gathered that the two students, Cyprian Igwe and Olalekan Oladeru were accused by the university for circulating a WhatsApp group message inviting other students for a meeting over the fee hike.

Igwe and Mr Oladeru were both officials of the Students’ Union Government, who completed their final-year second-semester examinations in April 2023 and currently awaiting their results to proceed with the mandatory National Youth Service Corps scheme.

A document obtained by the newsmen revealed that the school, in recent time increased the school fees by about 50 per cent for the new session.

Following the hike, Igwe who is the SUG’s Director of Socials, in a WhatsApp message sighted by our correspondent, reportedly said, “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.

Subsequently, the university, in a “rustication letter” sighted by our correspondent, dated May 26, 2023, and signed by the deputy registrar (academic) on behalf of the registrar, accused both Igwe and Oladeru, of circulating an “inciteful press release” 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,” the letter added.

However, in a fresh development, one of the affected students, Oladeru, while speaking to newsmen, noted that the rustication letter had been recalled.

“The school wants us to return the letter that it was a mistake. It was supposed to be suspended, but after all the damages have been done, they’re now realising their mistakes. The school did injustice and should face the law.”