Students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), in Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria, took to the streets on Thursday, September 3, 2026, to demand the reopening of their university after spending more than two months away from the classroom.
The protest, organised by the university’s Students’ Union Government, followed a disruption of academic activities linked to a dispute between university workers’ unions and the Ondo State Government over unpaid salaries and other outstanding obligations.
The disruption dates back to July 10, when the AAUA branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) began an indefinite strike over the non-payment of lecturers’ salaries for May and June 2026. On August 11, ASUU declared another total and indefinite strike over the alleged non-implementation of the 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU, including revised salary provisions and accumulated arrears reportedly owed since January 2026.
The situation escalated further on September 2, when the Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) commenced a total and indefinite strike across universities owned by the Ondo State Government.
Frustrated by the prolonged closure and the absence of a clear date for the resumption of academic activities, the students took to the streets the following day. They barricaded the university’s main gate and blocked major roads around the institution.
During the protest, soldiers reportedly arrived at the university in military vehicles and moved to clear the roads and the area around the institution. A video posted online shows soldiers pursuing protesters, firing shots into the air and using tear gas to disperse the demonstration.
It remains unclear whether any of the students were injured, arrested or detained during the dispersal. There has also been no official statement from the Nigerian Army explaining the deployment of its personnel or addressing their conduct during the protest.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) condemns the reported use of tear gas and gunfire, and the deployment of soldiers to disperse students of Adekunle Ajasin University who were protesting the prolonged disruption of academic activities.
Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are enshrined in Sections 39 and 40 of Nigeria’s Constitution. While authorities have a legitimate duty to maintain public order and keep roads open, managing a student protest should be must respect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
The MFWA calls on the Nigerian Army to clarify the circumstances surrounding the military deployment and urges the National Human Rights Commission to investigate the reported use of tear gas and gunfire against the students. Public assemblies should be policed by civilian law enforcement in line with the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality.
We also urge the Ondo State Government as well as the university workers’ unions resolve the dispute through dialogue so that students can return to the classroom.
