Tension at UNILAG over union restoration

TENSION seems to be brewing at the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, over calls by student leaders for the restoration of student unionism in the institution.

Recall that in 2016, the management of UNILAG suspended student unionism following a violent protest by the students over poor municipal services among others. 

The situation led to the deployment of security personnel at the main gate of the university, as there were fears that the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, could mobilise students to protest.

Incidentally, some faculties and departments held elections for their associations same day, while some students used the opportunity to demand the restoration of student unionism.

In a chat with Vanguard, the Head of the Media Unit of the university, Alhaja Ajoke Alaga-Ibrahim, dispelled the claim of any protest in the university.

Alaga-Ibrahim said: "There was no protest. Some faculties and departments held elections for their associations today. We gathered that a section of NANS sent a report that some online media feasted on some days ago giving the management an ultimatum to restore students unionism. No letter to that effect was sent to the management.

"Moreover, the management of the university has set up a committee to look into the student unionism issue and members are drawn from students and others, including the NANS faction we know and the committee will submit its report by the end of this month.”

However, a student leader, Femi Adeyeye, who is the co-convener of the Fund Education Coalition, FEC, who spoke with Vanguard, said that no students participated in any protest.

Adeyeye said: "As a coalition, we oppose the privatization and commercialization of education, particularly emphasizing the need for the democratization of the school community and the reinstatement of SUG.

"The media uproar was triggered by NANS' ultimatum to UNILAG to restore SUG. The ultimatum expired today, and the school management, in their usual suppressive manner, deployed police officers throughout the campus.

"Protest was not even on our agenda today. Our demand is the reinstatement of SUG. However, this does not rule out the possibility of future protests if necessary.”