The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the management of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), to investigate allegations of harassment and victimisation levelled against a senior staff member by a former student leader, Naseer Ibrahim Isah.
In a statement issued on Monday, NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, described Isah as a dedicated student advocate and former NANS Senator, accusing a top official of the institution of unjustly targeting him due to his involvement in student politics.
Oladoja claimed that Isah was prevented from taking a test in the course CT Protocol, allegedly due to unresolved faculty charges. He insisted that such an action lacked legal and academic justification, stating that no university regulation supports the denial of test access on those grounds.
“This punitive action is not only unlawful but undermines the principles of fairness and due process,” the NANS president said.
He further alleged that on another occasion, Isah was denied the opportunity to sit for a test over unverified claims of poor class attendance, despite the absence of any concrete attendance records. Oladoja described this as an example of institutional bias and abuse of power.
According to the statement, Isah has also been subjected to verbal threats and discriminatory comments, including threats that he would suffer academically because of his activism and past role in student leadership.
“These remarks are unprofessional and indicate a personal vendetta, which is unbecoming of any academic staff,” Oladoja stated.
He added that the actions against Isah appear to be part of a broader attempt to intimidate student leaders who speak out against injustice. “Comrade Naseer’s only ‘offence’ is his commitment to student welfare and his courage to hold authority accountable — qualities that should be encouraged, not punished,” he said.
NANS demanded an immediate end to what it described as persecution and urged the university to thoroughly and transparently investigate the allegations.
The student body also issued a warning that, if the situation is not addressed, it may relocate its national headquarters to Bayero University and organise a mass protest.
In addition, NANS called on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to look into the role of Dr. Idris Garba, the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, who was named in the allegations.
“While we hold ASUU in high regard as a sister union, we will not tolerate a situation where any of its members are found to be oppressing our students — especially a former Students’ Union President,” Oladoja said.
He concluded by demanding that Isah be allowed to participate fully in all academic activities without intimidation or interference, warning that any further attempts to obstruct his education would be strongly resisted.
