The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, has called on the Ekiti State College of Nursing Sciences (CONS), Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), to immediately reinstate Seluwa Oluwaseun Vincent, a 300-level student who was expelled for protesting what he described as an outrageous hike in hostel accommodation fees.
NANS condemned the college’s decision to withdraw Vincent’s admission and studentship, describing the action as “vindictive, unjust, and a clear act of victimisation.”
In a statement jointly signed by Zone D Coordinator, Comrade Owolewa Taiwo S., and General Secretary, Comrade Oluwole Olutunde A., the students’ body decried the expulsion as a punishment for a student leader who merely spoke out against alleged injustices and deteriorating welfare conditions on campus.
It was earliear revealed that Vincent was indefinitely suspended in January 2025 following his protest against the increase in hostel fees from N100,000 to N280,000 per bed space.
His expulsion was later formalised in a letter dated April 7, 2025, and signed by the college’s Acting Registrar, Abe L.O.
In the January 3, 2025, suspension letter signed by Acting Provost, Dr. Awe O.O., the college accused Vincent of defying instructions to vacate the former student hostel located off-campus. He was also alleged to have verbally assaulted the Student Affairs Officer (SAO) during the altercation.
Vincent, however, denied the allegations in a statement to SaharaReporters. He maintained that he was being victimised for resisting the fee hike and accused the SAO, Mrs. Adaramola Bukola Ayodele, of blackmail and character defamation—claiming she labelled him a psychiatric patient and referred to him as “mad” before the school’s disciplinary panel.
The withdrawal letter cited a further act of indiscipline committed by Vincent during his suspension, allegedly violating Section 5.6 of the Student Information Handbook (2023 Edition, Pg. 16).
NANS stated it had previously intervened in the conflict in an effort to promote reconciliation and restore harmony on campus, but was now forced to speak out publicly due to what it viewed as ongoing injustice.
The statement read, “Let it be firmly recalled that the leadership of NANS Southwest had previously intervened in this matter in the interest of peace and dialogue.
“Although Comrade Vincent vehemently denied all the allegations levelled against him by the Student Affairs Officer (SAO), Mrs. Ayodele, the NANS Southwest leadership guided by the principles of consultation and consolidation persuaded him to submit three letters of apology addressed individually to the Provost, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), and the SAO.
“This was done not as an admission of guilt, but in the spirit of reconciliation and to foster peace on campus.
“We find it deeply troubling and disheartening that after this act of maturity and restraint, the institution has still gone ahead to withdraw the studentship of this young leader, who only stood up against injustice and poor welfare conditions, a move widely supported by both parents and fellow students.
“We wish to state categorically that this withdrawal is vindictive, unjust, and a deliberate act of victimisation.”
Therefore, the NANS issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the College of Nursing’s management, demanding Comrade Vincent’s immediate and unconditional reinstatement.
It said, “We therefore issue a 48-hour ultimatum to the Management of the College of Nursing Sciences, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), to reverse the withdrawal of Comrade Seluwa Oluwaseun Vincent and reinstate him unconditionally.”
“Should the Management fail to do the needful within this window, NANS Southwest will be left with no other option but to proceed to the third stage of our Aluta strategy, confrontation,” NANS warned.
It said, “We are committed to protecting the rights and welfare of every Nigerian student and will not tolerate acts of tyranny and administrative injustice.”
NANS noted that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.
“The fight for Vincent is the fight for all students. We stand united, and we will not back down until justice is served,” it added.
Source: SaharaReporters
