pannigeriannews 
By Isaiah Adewole
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the tenure of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, alleging that his administration was marked by anti-student policies, suppression of student activism, and controversies surrounding governance.
The demand was made in a press release issued on Thursday and signed by the President of NANS, Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, GCNS. The association accused the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of implementing policies that negatively affected students’ welfare and creating an atmosphere that allegedly discouraged student activism.
According to NANS, the administration subjected students to hardship and sanctioned student leaders who opposed university policies.
“Your infamous tenure was characterized by anti-student policies, many of which subjected students to hardship, strained them beyond their limits, and made learning frustrating for them,” Akinteye said.
The NANS president also alleged that students who protested against university policies were intimidated, suspended and, in some cases, expelled.
“Whenever students rose to fight for their rights, you went out of your way to intimidate, suspend, and ultimately expel them. You punished student leaders who sought better welfare for students,” he stated.
Beyond the allegations of suppressing student activism, NANS claimed that Professor Adebowale’s tenure was also marred by controversies and several allegations of corruption, which, according to the association, informed its demand for an investigation by the nation’s anti-corruption agency.
“As if all of that were not enough, your tenure has also been marred by controversies and several allegations of corruption. On behalf of the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), I call on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the tenure of Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan,” Akinteye said.
The association further warned that it would oppose any future public appointment involving the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, arguing that he had lost the confidence of Nigerian students due to his stewardship.
NANS, however, congratulated the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba, urging him to pursue student-friendly policies, improve welfare, uphold transparency and create a more conducive learning environment.
As of the time of filing this report, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale and the University of Ibadan had not publicly responded to the allegations.
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