A postgraduate student at the University of Ibadan (UI) has publicly accused the institution's top officials of blatantly disregarding a court judgment that ordered them to grant him access to his student portal and allow his graduation.
Court Victory Ignored by University Authorities
Mr. Kayode Bello, a master's degree student in the Department of Communication and Language Arts, secured a favourable ruling from the Federal High Court in Ibadan on October 17, 2025. The court, presided over by Justice Evelyn Maha, mandated the university and its named officials to unblock his student portal, enabling him to complete registration and graduate.
Despite this legal victory, Bello claims the university has refused to comply. The respondents listed in the suit, marked FHC/IB/CS/119/2024, include:
- The University of Ibadan
- The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale
- The Registrar, Mr. Saliu Ganiyu
- The Provost of the Post-Graduate College, Professor Ayo Ogunjuyigbe
- The Head of the ICT Unit, Mr. Ajayi Abiodun
- The Post-Graduate College
- The Head of the Department of Communication and Language Arts
University's Attempt to Stay Execution Fails
According to Bello, the university's leadership attempted to halt the implementation of the judgment but failed. The respondents filed an application seeking an order to grant a stay of execution. However, in a subsequent ruling delivered on November 14, Justice Maha dismissed their application.
The court maintained that the university officials did not disclose any exceptional circumstances that would warrant a suspension of the judgment delivered in the student's favour. This ruling effectively reinforced the initial order, compelling immediate compliance.
Graduation List Controversy and Ongoing Blockade
Bello revealed a deeper layer to the conflict. He told The Guardian that the UI Senate had already approved his postgraduate results for graduation in 2024. However, he alleges that the Provost of the Post-Graduate College, Professor Ayo Ogunjuyigbe, subsequently removed his name from the convocation list without providing any reason.
The court judgment specifically addressed this issue, mandating the respondents to include Bello's name in the University's Convocation List. The student's portal has reportedly been blocked since 2021, creating a prolonged academic deadlock. Despite receiving the judgment over a month ago, Bello laments that the school authorities have taken no steps to obey the court's directive, leaving his academic future in limbo.
This case highlights a significant confrontation between student rights, institutional authority, and the rule of law within one of Nigeria's premier higher education institutions.
