Nigerian University Expels Student after Facebook Criticism of Governor

The Taraba State University has expelled a 100 level student of the university for consistently criticising the state governor, Darius Ishaku, on Facebook.

Joseph Israel, who was admitted to study Chemistry but later switched to Laboratory Science in the state-owned university, had his admission withdrawn on the excuse of not signing a matriculation oath form.

A letter dated September 20, 2019, signed by the Deputy Register Academic, Yakubu Fwa, addressed to Mr. Israel accused the student of failure to attend students’ matriculation ceremony and refusal to fill the matriculation form.

“Further take notice that the withdrawal of the said admission is hinged on your inability to complete the registration processes of Taraba State University, Jalingo, as approved by the relevant university regulation and which makes you a ghost student”, the letter partly reads.

But a local activist, Jen Jibrin, told PREMIUM TIMES, that reason given by the institution was a smokescreen to ‘deal’ with the student who is a well-known online critic of the governor. A run through Mr. Israel’s Facebook page shows his strident criticism of Mr. Ishaku’s leadership