The Take-It-Back Movement strongly condemns the unjust rustication of students from the Nasarawa State University over their involvement in the creation of a WhatsApp group. The group, according to the university administration, was allegedly formed without proper authorization. The Movement demands the immediate reinstatement of these students and calls for the reversal of what it deems an overreach of authority and violation of basic student rights.
The group of students were recently rusticated for creating a communication platform designed to facilitate healthy discourse and the exchange of ideas among their peers. The university claims the platform was a security risk and accused the students of organizing unauthorized activities, although no evidence has been presented to substantiate these claims.
In response, the Take-It-Back Movement views this action as an affront to freedom of expression and student autonomy. "Students have the right to connect and communicate freely, especially in the digital age where platforms like WhatsApp are used for educational purposes, social interaction, and community building," said the Movement’s spokesperson.
The Take-It-Back Movement further asserts that the decision to rusticate these students is excessive and sets a dangerous precedent for stifling academic and social freedoms in Nigerian universities. It emphasizes that the action taken by Nasarawa University is part of a broader pattern of authoritarianism undermining student rights, particularly those advocating for transparency, justice, and accountability.
“We stand with the rusticated students and call on the university’s administration to reverse this decision immediately. Their academic future should not be threatened by the simple act of creating a communication group to foster student engagement," said the spokesperson. “We also call on the National Universities Commission (NUC) to intervene in this matter to ensure the rights of students are upheld.”