NSUK: RIGHTS GROUP SLAMS VC FOR REFUSING TO RECALL SUSPENDED STUDENTS

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By: Motunrayo Aniwura

The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) has strongly criticized the Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, for refusing to reinstate suspended students, despite a plea from Governor Abdullahi Sule.

In a statement signed by Deputy National Coordinator Ogunjimi Isaac and National Mobilisation Officer Adaramoye Michael Lenin, the ERC labeled the Vice-Chancellor’s stance as an act of harsh authoritarianism and irresponsibility.

The group demanded the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of the students, citing an appeal made by Governor Sule. The appeal was reportedly delivered through his Personal Assistant on Social Media, Godwin Rimi, during the celebration of Prof. Liman’s one-year anniversary in office.

Governor Sule had called on the university’s administration to review and reverse the suspensions.

But according to the ERC, “despite this plea, Prof. Sa’adatu Hassan Liman has set all reasons aside and refused to reinstate these innocent students who have suffered physical and emotional torment.”

The controversy dates back to August 2024, when students, including Shekwogaza Godiya Sanda, Timothy Manasseh, and Asan Ukeyima, began mobilizing to protest against a new university policy requiring students to pay N5,000 for each failed course under a new “third semester” scheme.

Before the protest could occur, the students were arrested and detained by police, allegedly at the behest of the university authorities.

Subsequently, on December 9, 2024, the students were suspended by the university for what it termed acts of “incitement.” However, ERC insists the suspension was baseless since the protest never took place.

“In any case, the fact is that the planned protest never took place. So, the official basis for their suspension is flawed,” the ERC said.

The group also accused the Vice-Chancellor of stifling student rights and democratic engagement.

“This is a clear revelation of the atrocities of Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, the Vice-Chancellor who is misnamed as ‘Sweet Mother of NSUK’ but unleashes terrible policies on students,” the statement read.

ERC further criticized the university’s cancellation of the last Students’ Union election, which it said left students without formal representation.

They demanded that all suspended students of NSUK be immediately and unconditionally reinstated and called for accountability for those responsible for their arrests and alleged mistreatment.

“We demand that all those culpable in the arrest and torture be made to answer for their crimes,” the group stated.

While acknowledging Governor Sule’s intervention, ERC urged him to act more decisively.