No Planned Protest on Our Campus, FUOYE SUG Warns NYCN
The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Federal University Oye‑Ekiti (FUOYE) has cautioned the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ekiti State chapter, over a threatened protest on the university’s main campus, saying the institution is not an appropriate venue for external demonstration.
In a statement released by the SUG on Friday, representatives of the student body stated that the university environment is primarily for academic pursuits, and that allowing mass rallies or the relocation of operatives to the campus would undermine the scholastic and social order.
The SUG urged the NYCN to reconsider the planned action and to explore official institutional avenues for addressing grievances.
The statement noted that “the university community is not ground for non-academic activities” and emphasised the importance of safeguarding teaching, research and student welfare.
The NYCN, in a separate declaration dated 29 October, had announced its intention to relocate its operational headquarters to the FUOYE main campus from Monday 3 November, and to stage peaceful daily demonstrations until several demands are met. These demands include suspension of the Vice-Chancellor of FUOYE, independent investigation of alleged sexual harassment cases, a forensic audit of university finances since 2021, and review of the current vice-chancellorship selection process.
The council said it had exhausted other channels, including petitions to the Presidency and anti-corruption agencies.
Responding to the NYCN’s notice, the FUOYE SUG emphasised that while students and youth organisations have the right to raise concerns, doing so through activities that may disrupt academic operations or compromise campus security is unacceptable.
The student body called on the NYCN to engage through established university governance mechanisms rather than applying pressure via protests on campus.
Campus observers note that the standoff places pressure on both student leadership and university management to navigate the competing interests of institutional integrity and youth activism.
The university’s Directorate of Corporate Services has yet to issue a full response to the NYCN’s claims, although previous FUOYE press releases indicate the institution often appeals for calm while investigations and internal processes run their course.
As tensions rise ahead of the planned protest date, students, academic staff and local stakeholders in Oye-Ekiti are watching closely. Any disruption could impact lectures, examinations and the broader academic calendar.
For its part, the SUG reaffirmed its commitment to a tranquil and conducive learning environment and encouraged dialogue as the preferred route to resolving the issues raised by the NYCN.
