Tension erupted on Wednesday at the Lagos State University, Ojo campus, following allegations that security operatives assaulted students protesting their exclusion from the institution’s direct entry admission list.
The aggrieved students, who recently completed their diploma programmes, claimed the university management had reneged on its earlier assurance to grant them direct entry into 200-level degree programmes.
Eyewitnesses told PUNCH Metro that the protest, which began peacefully, turned chaotic after campus security operatives reportedly used force to disperse the demonstrators.
Videos circulating on social media showed students being dragged, chased, and beaten, with some sustaining injuries and requiring medical attention.
One of the protesters said, “We were only asking for fairness and transparency. We were told that a 3.0 CGPA was enough for admission.
“Now LASU has suddenly raised the requirement to 3.5, leaving over 300 of us stranded.”
It was gathered that several of the affected students had graduated with impressive CGPAs ranging from 4.0 to 4.8 but were still denied admission following the new policy.
The abrupt change, they said, shattered their plans after many had already purchased JAMB Direct Entry forms based on the earlier criteria.
“We wrote letters to the Vice-Chancellor, the Dean of Student Affairs, and even the Lagos State Ministry of Education.
“We also reached out to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, but no one responded,” another student lamented.
Frustrated by the lack of response, the students staged a peaceful demonstration within the campus, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “We deserve fairness” and “Keep your promise, LASU.”
However, witnesses said the protest was violently disrupted by campus security personnel, who allegedly brutalised several students.
Some were reportedly hospitalised, while others were left traumatised.
“We are not fighting LASU,” one of the protesters said. “We are only fighting for our future.
“If our departments are full, the university can at least offer us related courses. We just want the opportunity to continue our education.”
As of press time, the university authorities had yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.