University of Ibadan student activists cleared to resume classes

The Federal High Court, Ibadan Division, has struck out an application by the University of Ibadan (UI) that sought to prevent three student activists from resuming their studies. The students—Ayodele Aduwo, Mide Gbadegesin, and Linus Adaoma—faced disciplinary action following a 2024 protest against university fee increases, where they displayed placards with slogans such as “No To Fee Hike” and “#FeesMustFall”.

Although Justice N. E. Maha had previously quashed the university’s disciplinary actions and ordered the students' reinstatement in April 2026, the university appealed the decision and sought a stay of execution to prevent the students from attending classes during the appeal process. However, the court noted during Monday’s proceedings that because the students had already resumed classes and the substantive appeal was already before the Court of Appeal, there was effectively nothing left to stay.

Following the court's guidance, the university withdrew its application, leading the court to strike it out and caution the university’s counsel regarding the filing of such processes. Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has commended the ruling and called on the university to cease the persecution of the activists.