The University of Port Harcourt has dissolved its Students’ Union Government and banned all related activities.

The decision, announced through a memo from the dean of student affairs, came on the orders of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Chike Princewill R. Chike. Student leaders were asked to hand over all union property, documents, and assets immediately.

The university directed the executives to appear before an investigative panel when called. Failure to comply could lead to disciplinary action. The move has sparked strong reactions from student bodies across the country.

The National Association of Nigerian Students strongly condemned the dissolution. NANS President Akinteye Babatunde Afeez described it as a violation of students’ democratic rights.

The group argued that elected union leaders cannot be removed without proper investigation and a chance to defend themselves.

NANS called for the immediate reversal of the order. It urged the university to disclose any allegations, set up a fair panel, and follow due process. While supporting accountability, the association warned against using it to undermine student representation.

The situation remains tense as students await the next steps from both the university management and national student leaders. Many see this as an important test of how institutions handle student governance and democracy on campus.

Photo credit: Punch Newspaper