After 10 years, UNILAG lifts ban on student unionism

The management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has lifted the ban on student unionism in the institution.

Rahamon Bello, a professor and the vice-chancellor of UNILAG, made the announcement on Friday during the institution’s 2014/2015 matriculation.

Following a violent protest in 2005, Oye Ibidapo-Obe, who was then the vice-chancellor, proscribed students union.

The unrest on campus led to the burning of the residences of the dean of student affairs, that of the vice-chancellors and some others.

However, Bello’s reversal of the suspension of activities by the union elicited cheers from the students.

“With the recent endorsement of the University of Lagos Students’ Union Constitution, the authorities of the institution has approved the unbanning of full students’ union activities at the university,” he said.

“You are leaders of tomorrow and as such, opportunity for leadership development should not be unrestricted.”

He directed the dean of students affairs to immediately commence arrangements for the election of the students’ union executives, in line with the new constitution.

He also urged the students to guard against anything capable of bringing back “the dark days”.

On other matters, the vice-chancellor said that out of the 61,931 candidates who applied during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and 4, 361 for the Direct Entry platform, only 26,641 scored 200 and above.

He said that 15,597 candidates wrote post-UTME of the university.

Bello said that 5, 796 candidates were offered provisional admission in the UTME category and 2,805 in the direct entry category, making a total of 8,601.

He explained that after a thorough screening exercise, only 6,644, representing 10 per cent of the total number of applicants, scaled the registration procedures.

He advised the students to be good ambassadors of their families, alma maters, departments, faculties and the university at large.