Young Man Wrongfully Expelled From School, Gets Reinstated, Graduates After 11 Years

Cursory: Mr. Olorunfemi Adeyeye, a student activist at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), that was rusticated and reinstated has graduated after 11 years. Despite the difficulties, he proudly shared his graduation photos on Facebook.

After a eleven-year journey, Mr. Olorunfemi Adeyeye, a student activist, has successfully graduated from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, In 2016, he faced rustication from the university for his role in organizing and leading a mass protest highlighting the inadequate infrastructure on campus.

Adeyeye, along with other student activists, was suspended due to their involvement in the protests that took place on April 6 and 8, 2016.

These demonstrations resulted in the temporary closure of the university and the subsequent indefinite suspension of the University of Lagos Students Union.

However, in 2022, Adeyeye was reinstated and went on to complete his studies in the Department of Building. Despite the challenges he faced, he has now achieved his graduation milestone.

Adeyeye was also accused of criticising the leadership of the institution for their inability to manage situations as “democrats” in a Facebook article titled: “The Senate of the University of Lagos; a conglomeration of academic ignorami.”

Sharing his sign-out pictures on his Facebook page on Monday, Adeyeye, shown standing at attention, wore a white shirt with the inscription, “It needed attention, and I gave it full. To continue the big things. Grateful.”

According to The PUNCH, during his suspension, the University of Lagos authorities accused Adeyeye of heading a group called the “Save UNILAG Coalition.”

This coalition consisted of individuals from the National Association of Nigerian Students and allegedly disrupted the operations of the Dean of Student Affairs’ office on March 31, 2016.

In response to the accusations, the university issued a statement asserting that Adeyeye and other student leaders were not targeted due to their participation in campus protests.

Instead, they were reportedly found to have violated a section of the regulations outlined in the university’s 2015-2016 student information handbook.

In a 2016 interview with The PUNCH, Adeyeye denied the allegation, revealing that he and other student leaders were invited to a panel by the university known as the “Special Senate Disciplinary Committee on Recent Students’ Protest,” wherein it was indicated that they were rusticated for their participation in a protest.

He further told The PUNCH that everything he wrote in the Facebook article cited by the university pointed to the fact that the resolution of the university Senate concerning his rustication was undemocratic.

“It was rather disheartening that the university came out to say that. It is an untrue statement. I and other student leaders were invited to a panel. The panel was known as, the ‘Special senate disciplinary committee on recent students’ protest.’

“Everything I wrote in the article I posted on my Facebook page pointed to the fact that the resolution of the Senate was not a product of a democratic process, especially with the student leaders who participated in the protest. From the day I was admitted into the university till the day I was rusticated, there was no regulation in the university’s student handbook that stated “unauthorised use of university name, logo, etc in a manner that would bring the university to disrepute,” Mr Adeyeye had said.

His family and friends took to their Facebook page to celebrate his impressive achievement. Below are a few congratulatory messages:

Omoyele Sowere: Congratulations to Femi Adeyeye, he’s finally graduated from UNILAG, he shattered boundaries, and sadly he broke our “Guinness World Record” of students that spent the longest number of years in the university in an attempt to obtain a bachelor’s degree!

Kunle Ajayi: Femi reminds me of my decade-long studentship for just a four-year course all because we chose not to be zombies. Ago lo ma n dediye awon oppressors laslas! Congratulations Famolino Adeyeye Olorunfemi

Toheeb Adebayo Bankole

I no know wetin to type. E reach one time wey be say I con dey wonder wetin dey give Adeyeye Olorunfemi courage. I remember the first day we met for take it back Unilag meeting. I escorted him to Faculty of social science where he was conversing with a lecturer, I guess that man was trying to convince him to succumb to the powers that be. I was about asking where he got the courage from, to stand his ground against odindi Unilag. He mentioned how his dad was trying to persuade him and was going to write a letter to unilag on his behalf, he mentioned reminding his dad that it is he who got the admission from unilag and not the dad. Ọmọ na dat day I know say there’s level to this thing. I get coconut head too but he no reach Chief Bankole side, before dem go call family meeting on top my head.
Femi was such a force that whenever he enters unilag then, his movements would be monitored by security forces on campus. I still remember how one officer at Alpha base was telling us about him and how we should avoid him cos he’s a dusruptor 🤣🤣🤣, I kúkú send the voice note give am.
Femi, I respect you ó. You truly attended to unilag. Cos if I begin write, make dem no go collect my Pali 🤣

Babatunde Habeeb’ullahi said: Adeyeye Olorunfemi is s uch a rare fighter. Guiness book of world record should award you sha 😂 you spend 11years at unilag for 5years course. Congratulations on your signing out. Success

Abdul-azeez Adeola: From incarceration, rustication for speaking for the voiceless, to reintegration, & final graduation from the University of Lagos after 11 years, Comrade Adeyeye Olorunfemi is a fighter, congratulation. Victoria Ascerta.

Source: PUNCH

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