UNIPORT Suspends Students’ Union; NANS Speaks Out

The management of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has immediately stopped all activities of the Students’ Union Government (SUG).

The university also told all elected student leaders to give back union property and prepare to appear before a panel for questioning.

This announcement came in a memo signed by the Dean of Student Affairs, Geoffrey Woke, acting on orders from the new Vice-Chancellor, Princewill Chike.

The memo, dated 19 July, confirmed the dissolution of the three arms of the Students’ Union, Hall Representatives, and all other union activities.

“I am directed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Princewill Chike, to notify the three arms of the Students’ Union that they have been dissolved with immediate effect until further notice,” the memo said.

The university instructed all executive members of the union to return union property to the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs.

They must also hand over official documents, financial records, keys, ID materials, and other items that belong to the union.

According to the memo, the student leaders must appear before the investigative panel when they are invited.

The university warned that failing to comply with these orders would lead to disciplinary action.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the university did not provide reasons for the dissolution or the specific issues being investigated.

NANS Responds

In response, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) condemned the decision, calling it a violation of students’ democratic rights.

The National President of NANS, Akinteye Afeez, shared the association's view in a statement released on Monday.

Mr Afeez said that while university authorities can investigate claims against student leaders, they must follow the right process.

“Dissolving a democratically elected union without due process, transparency, and fair hearing amounts to an abuse of administrative powers,” he said.

He argued that the Students’ Union is the rightful representative body of students and cannot be dissolved by an administrative order without clear reasons.

Mr Afeez emphasized that affected officials should first know the allegations against them and have a chance to defend themselves.

He also raised concerns about the order for union leaders to hand over documents and financial records before they appear before the investigative panel.

“This series of events raises questions about the transparency, fairness, and independence of the investigative process,” he said.

The NANS president urged the university management to halt the dissolution order and clearly explain the reasons for the action.

He called for an unbiased investigative panel and ensured that all affected student leaders receive a fair hearing.

“The university authorities must avoid intimidation, victimization, or disciplinary action against student leaders for doing their representative duties,” he said.

Mr Afeez stressed that NANS supports accountability and believes in sanctions against any student leader found guilty of misconduct after due process.

Yet, he warned that accountability should not be used to weaken democratic institutions or silence legitimate student representation on campus.

“We urge UNIPORT authorities to settle disputes through discussion, transparent investigation, and following the right procedures,” he added.

He mentioned that the association has started talks with relevant groups and would use lawful means to protect students’ rights and democratic institutions.

Mr Afeez repeated NANS’s demand for the immediate cancellation of the dissolution order until a fair, impartial, and credible investigation is done.