There was palpable tension on Wednesday at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo campus, after security operatives allegedly assaulted and dispersed students who were protesting their exclusion from the university’s direct entry admission list.
The protesters, made up of diploma graduates of the institution, had gathered peacefully to demand an explanation from the management over what they described as an “unjust denial” of their right to 200-level direct entry admission into LASU’s degree programmes.
According to eyewitnesses, the demonstration, which began calmly, turned violent after campus security operatives moved in to break up the protest, allegedly using excessive force.
Videos circulating online showed students being chased, dragged, and beaten by security officers. Several students reportedly sustained injuries, while others were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
“We were only asking for fairness and transparency,” one of the protesters said. “LASU told us that a minimum of 3.0 CGPA would qualify us for admission. Suddenly, the management raised the bar to 3.5 without prior notice, leaving over 300 of us stranded.”
Sources within the institution said many of the affected students had completed their diploma programmes with CGPAs ranging between 4.0 and 4.8, yet were still denied admission following the new policy.
The development has left hundreds of students frustrated, especially those who had already purchased Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Direct Entry forms based on the university’s earlier assurance.
Another student who spoke to The PUNCH expressed disappointment at the management’s silence, saying several letters were written to the Vice Chancellor, the Dean of Student Affairs, and even the Lagos State Ministry of Education, all without any response.
“We also reached out to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, but nothing was done,” the student said. “We had no choice but to stage a peaceful protest to make our voices heard.”
During the protest, students were seen carrying placards with inscriptions such as “We deserve fairness,” “Keep your promise, LASU,” and “Let merit prevail.”
However, what started as a peaceful demonstration soon spiralled into chaos as security officers descended on the students. Witnesses claimed that several of the protesters were brutalised, leaving some hospitalised and others traumatised.
“We are not fighting LASU,” another student said. “We only want the school to keep its promise. If our departments are full, they can offer us slots in related courses. We just want to continue our education.”
