…Berates VC for Ignoring Gov. Sule’s Plea to Reinstate Students

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

An education rights group has called for the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of all students suspended by Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) over allegations that they planned to stage a protest against the university authorities.

The group, Education Rights Campaign (ERC), condemned the Vice-Chancellor of NSUK, Prof. Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, for disregarding the plea by Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule to recall the suspended students. ERC also demanded that the university authorities and the Nigeria Police Force be held accountable for unlawfully detaining the students.

In a statement released Monday and jointly signed by Comrade Ogunjimi Isaac, Deputy National Coordinator, and Adaramoye Michael Lenin, National Mobilization Officer, ERC described the suspension—based solely on the alleged plan to protest—as unacceptable and a violation of the students’ fundamental rights to free expression and assembly.

The group stressed that the planned protest never actually took place, making the official reason for suspension flawed.

They urged Governor Sule to move beyond merely pleading with the Vice-Chancellor, whom they accused of showing “unimaginable inhumanity,” and to intervene decisively in the matter.

“All the affected students must be recalled immediately,” the statement insisted.

Full Statement Highlights:

The Education Rights Campaign strongly condemns the refusal of NSUK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, to reinstate suspended students despite Governor Abdullahi Sule’s appeal made on her first anniversary in office. The governor’s plea was communicated through his Personal Assistant on Social Media, Godwin Rimi.

ERC expressed surprise and disappointment that the Vice-Chancellor ignored the governor’s plea and refused to reinstate students who have endured physical and emotional suffering.

“This is an act of vicious tyranny and recklessness,” the group stated, demanding immediate reinstatement of the suspended students.

The suspension, based on the allegation that students planned a protest, violates their right to free expression and assembly. Moreover, since the protest never occurred, the suspension’s justification is invalid.

Students including Shekwogaza Godiya Sanda, Timothy Manasseh, Asan Ukeyima, and others have been suspended since December 9, 2024. Before their suspension, many spent days in police custody on orders from the university authorities.

ERC condemned Prof. Liman, ironically nicknamed the “sweet mother of NSUK,” accusing her of imposing harsh policies on students. These include:

Cancelling the last student union election, leaving students without representation

Introducing a policy requiring students to pay ₦5,000 for each failed course under a controversial “third semester” program

It was this policy that prompted the students’ planned protest in August 2024, after which student activists were handed over to the police and reportedly subjected to arrest and torture.

“We demand that all those responsible for the arrest and torture be held accountable,” ERC said.

The group urged Governor Sule to take stronger action beyond pleas and ensure the immediate recall of all suspended students.