OAU students disrupt Wike’s lecture, demand justice for FCT demolition victims

Tension was high at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Thursday, June 5, when two students staged a protest during a lecture delivered by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Wike had been invited to speak at a Distinguished Personality Lecture held at the university’s Oduduwa Hall, where he presented on the theme, “Nigeria of Our Dreams.”

However, the event was briefly interrupted by students Oladepo Joshua and Ejike Kelechi, who held placards demanding compensation for victims of recent demolitions carried out in the FCT.

The protest created a moment of chaos in the hall, prompting security personnel to swiftly escort the demonstrators out of the venue. Eyewitnesses said the situation nearly escalated as tensions rose among attendees.

“They were in Oduduwa Hall for the event Wike came for. We presently don’t know their whereabouts,” said a student identified as Gift, who expressed concern for the protesters’ safety.

Another source confirmed the students were briefly held on the ground floor of the venue and later released after university security officials intervened.

The university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, clarified the students were not arrested but removed to prevent violence.

“Everybody has a right to protest,” he stated in a phone interview. “But microscopic minorities should not disrupt what the overwhelming majority permits.”

He added, “When about 20 students descended on two students, something could have happened. So, security operatives just took the two students out of the hall.”

Despite the university’s explanation, some student groups strongly criticized the treatment of the protesters.

The Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neoliberal Attacks (ANSA) described the action as an “arrest” and condemned what they called a suppression of student activism.

“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of our comrades,” said ANSA’s Deputy National Coordinator, Ikechukwu John.

The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) also weighed in, with its National Mobilisation Officer, Adaramoye Michael, denouncing the removal of the students as an example of the “authoritarian climate” on Nigerian campuses.

Meanwhile, the OAU Students’ Union said it is still gathering details on the incident.

“I just heard rumours. I was not in attendance and don’t have a detailed report yet,” said Aka Daniel, the union’s Public Relations Officer.

As of now, the university has not announced any disciplinary action, while calls for an official investigation and the protection of students’ rights continue to grow.

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