NANS Rejects Alledged ATBU Expulsion Of Student Over Election Advocacy

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected the alledged expulsion of a student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, over his alleged participation in advocacy for students’ elections.

NANS National President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, popularly known as Babtee, raised the concern in a post on X, saying the student was reportedly expelled after participating in advocacy for students’ elections in August 2025.

Afeez said the timing of the university’s decision was particularly concerning, alleging that the management waited until the student had completed his final-year examinations before announcing the expulsion.

“What is particularly concerning is that the management allegedly waited until the student completed his final-year examinations before announcing the expulsion — not suspension, but EXPULSION,” he wrote.

The NANS president said the student’s reported expulsion was unacceptable and called on the university management to reconsider the decision.

“We reject this decision,” Afeez said.

He argued that students should not face expulsion for participating in lawful and peaceful protests, stressing that the right to peaceful assembly and expression of grievances should be respected.

“Students should not be expelled simply for participating in a lawful and peaceful protest, as peaceful assembly and expression of grievances are fundamental rights that must be respected,” he wrote.

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Afeez disclosed that NANS would engage the university management to seek an amicable resolution and protect the rights and welfare of the affected student.

“As the leadership of NANS, we will be engaging the management of ATBU, Bauchi, to seek an amicable resolution to this matter and ensure that the rights and welfare of Nigerian students are protected,” he said.

He also appealed to the university management to address the matter through dialogue rather than confrontation.

“I sincerely hope the management will listen to the concerns of Nigerian students and allow this matter to be resolved through dialogue, without any form of confrontation,” he added.

Afeez reaffirmed NANS’ commitment to protecting the rights of Nigerian students, while attaching documents he identified as the student’s invitation to the disciplinary committee last year and his final-year examination result.

At the time of this report, the university has not giving its official position on the alledged expulsion.