The Thamani for Women and Youth Development Initiative has called on the Governing Council of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, to review and reverse the expulsion of a 500-Level student, Rex Ojochegbe Stephen.
The Civil Society Organisation (CSO) made the call in a statement issued on Thursday by its Project Coordinator, Nicholas Oshojah Afeso.
According to the statement, Mr Stephen was admitted to the university in 2019, matriculated in 2021 and had spent about seven years pursuing his undergraduate programme before he was expelled during the first semester of his final year.
The organisation said the disciplinary matter involving Mr Stephen dates back to 2025 and was connected to his involvement in student advocacy over concerns about the Students’ Union Government electoral process.
It said students had raised concerns about the electronic voting system, including difficulties receiving voting PINs and reports that some PINs had already been used.
According to Thamani, a peaceful protest was proposed over the matter but was eventually abandoned following the intervention of the Commissioner of Police and assurances that the students’ concerns would be communicated to the university management.
The organisation said Mr Stephen was subsequently invited to a meeting with the university’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Retired Air Commodore Emmanuel Jekada, in the presence of the Dean of Students’ Affairs.
It said the student was given an opportunity to explain his position and left the meeting with the understanding that the matter had been resolved.
“Rex states that he was given an opportunity to explain his position and left the engagement with the understanding that the matter had been resolved,” the statement said.
Thamani said Mr Stephen subsequently continued his studies and progressed to 500 Level without further disciplinary engagement over the same matter.
However, the organisation said it was concerned that the student reportedly discovered he had been expelled only after his student portal became inactive following the release of his academic result.
Thamani Questions Circumstances of Expulsion
Thamani said it recognised ATBU’s authority to maintain discipline and enforce its rules, but argued that such authority should be exercised in a manner that is “fair, consistent, transparent and proportionate.”
The organisation questioned why Mr Stephen was allowed to continue his studies and progress to his final year if the disciplinary matter remained serious enough to warrant expulsion.
It also asked when the final decision to expel him was taken, the basis for the decision and how it was communicated to the student.
“Why was Rex able to remain within the University system and progress to his final year before the expulsion became apparent?” the organisation asked.
Thamani further said it was concerned by reports that another student involved in the same underlying matter had completed his studies.
While acknowledging that the circumstances of the two students might not be identical, the organisation said the difference in their outcomes deserved explanation and review.
The group said expulsion at the final year of an undergraduate programme could have serious consequences for Mr Stephen, who had already spent approximately seven years pursuing his degree.
“For a student who has spent approximately seven years pursuing an undergraduate degree and has reached his final year, expulsion carries consequences that may permanently alter the course of his education and future,” it said.
Group Asks ATBU to Reinstate Student
Thamani urged the university’s Governing Council, Pro-Chancellor and management to urgently review the circumstances surrounding Mr Stephen’s expulsion and consider his formal appeal.
The organisation specifically called for the expulsion to be set aside, his reinstatement as a student, and restoration of his academic status and access to enable him complete his undergraduate programme.
It also urged the university to consider the student’s earlier engagement with the Pro-Chancellor, his subsequent academic progression and the circumstances under which the expulsion was eventually implemented.
“Thamani is not asking ATBU to abandon discipline. We are asking the University to reconsider whether expulsion, in the particular circumstances of this case, should bring a seven-year academic journey to an end when significant questions remain about the sequence of events that followed the original disciplinary proceedings,” the organisation said.
The group said it believed reinstatement was the “fair and appropriate outcome” and urged the university’s Governing Council to restore Mr Stephen’s studentship and allow him to complete his education.
Thamani said it remained committed to peaceful and constructive engagement with the university and urged all parties to support a resolution that upholds fairness and protects the student’s educational future.
