The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to the management of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, Kogi State, to review the one-year suspension imposed on four students involved in a campus fight, urging the institution to adopt a more compassionate approach.
The appeal follows the university’s decision to expel two students over alleged gay practice and suspend four others for one academic session after the Students’ Disciplinary Committee found them guilty of separate offences.
In a statement signed by its National Treasurer, Asmawu Idris, NANS condemned violence and all forms of misconduct in tertiary institutions but argued that disciplinary measures should balance justice with compassion.
“While NANS unequivocally condemns violence, fighting and every form of misconduct within our institutions of learning, we firmly believe that disciplinary measures should not only be lawful and proportionate but should also take into account the long-term impact such decisions may have on the future of the affected students,” the statement said.
The association expressed concern that some of the suspended students were female and reportedly first-time offenders, urging the university to consider sanctions that would correct behaviour without severely disrupting their academic careers.
“Without seeking to excuse acts of indiscipline or undermine the authority of the university, we respectfully appeal to the management to temper justice with mercy by considering alternative disciplinary measures that will serve the objectives of correction and deterrence without causing undue disruption to the academic pursuits and future aspirations of the students,” NANS said.
The student body also offered to engage with the university in pursuit of what it described as a fair and balanced resolution.
“NANS stands ready to engage constructively with the university management to better understand the circumstances surrounding the incident and to advocate for a fair, balanced and compassionate resolution,” the statement added.
It further urged the university authorities to reconsider the suspension while calling on students to remain peaceful and respect the institution’s disciplinary processes.
Notably, the association’s intervention focused only on the four suspended students and made no reference to the expulsion of two students over alleged gay practice.
Last week, CUSTECH announced the expulsion of Onumoko Hamza of the Biology Education Department and Abdulazeez Eneji of the Mining Engineering Department over alleged gay practice.
The university also suspended Favor Akowe of the Microbiology Department, Simbiat Babamuharuna of the Biology Department, Zainab Omayoza of the Biochemistry Department and Sukura Bukola of the Biochemistry Department for one academic session over fighting.
According to the institution, the disciplinary measures were approved by the Senate following recommendations of the Students’ Disciplinary Committee and implemented in line with the amended 2025 Students’ Handbook.
The university maintained that the sanctions reflect its commitment to discipline, order and a conducive learning environment, warning that students who violate its regulations would continue to face appropriate disciplinary action.
