UNIOSUN Expels 18 Students Over Exam Question Leak, NANS Demands Review and Reinstatement

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, has called on the management of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) to immediately review the reported expulsion of 18 300-Level students of the Department of Theatre Arts over an alleged examination question leakage.

The student body said it would not support examination malpractice or any action capable of undermining academic integrity, but argued that the circumstances surrounding the students’ expulsion raise serious questions about fairness, proportionality, and due process.

In a statement issued by the Coordinator of NANS Southwest Zone D, Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, popularly known as Billioncodes, the association said information available to it indicated that an examination question was allegedly compromised before the examination.

According to NANS, the affected examination was reportedly cancelled after the alleged leakage was discovered, with a fresh examination subsequently conducted.

However, the association expressed concern over the reported expulsion of 18 students while the departmental examination officer was allegedly issued only a warning.

NANS said such a disparity, if established, requires further examination.

“If these facts are as presented, then the disparity in sanctions is difficult to justify,” the association stated.

The student body maintained that while students must be held accountable where individual wrongdoing is established, responsibility for the security and custody of examination materials must also be properly investigated.

It therefore called on UNIOSUN to determine how the examination material allegedly left official custody, who obtained it, who circulated it, who knowingly benefited from it, and whether there was any failure in the process of safeguarding the examination materials.

NANS further argued that expulsion remains one of the most severe sanctions an institution can impose on a student and should therefore only be applied where clear evidence establishes the individual culpability of each affected student.

The association called for every affected student to be given a genuine opportunity to defend themselves before an impartial disciplinary process.

NANS Demands Immediate Review

NANS Southwest urged the university management to immediately review the expulsion order and suspend its implementation pending a fresh investigation.

It also demanded the establishment of an impartial review panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged examination leakage, including the role and responsibility of officials charged with protecting examination materials.

The association stressed that if any member of staff is found to have acted negligently or directly contributed to the leakage, such responsibility should also attract appropriate accountability.

“Academic integrity cannot mean severe punishment for students and administrative protection for officials,” NANS said.

The association also expressed concern over the long-term consequences of expelling 18 students who have already invested years and substantial financial resources into their education.

It called on the Vice-Chancellor and management of UNIOSUN to reconsider the matter and engage relevant stakeholders toward a resolution that protects both academic standards and students’ rights.

NANS Southwest said it remains ready to engage the university management on the matter.

The association concluded that it would continue to defend academic discipline while opposing any process it considers disproportionate or lacking transparency.

“The academic future of 18 Nigerian students deserves a fair hearing. We demand justice.”

Aluta Continua! Victoria Ascerta!

Signed:

Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode (BILLIONCODES)
Coordinator, NANS Southwest Zone D

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