According to a statement signed by the university’s acting spokesperson, Habib Yakoob, the affected students were found culpable of offences including cult related activities, threat to life and assault, conspiracy, burglary and theft.0

The Senate of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja), now Yakubu Gowon University, has approved the expulsion of 28 students over what it described as serious disciplinary offences, including cult-related activities, examination malpractice and drug use.

The decision was approved at the institution’s 191st regular meeting of the Senate held on 28 January 2026 at its main campus, following consideration of a report by the Student Disciplinary Committee (SDC).

In a statement signed by the university’s acting spokesperson, Habib Yakoob, the senate said the affected students were found culpable of offences including cult related activities, threat to life and assault, conspiracy, burglary and theft.

Others were examination malpractice, possession and use of hard drugs, and falsification of ‘O’ Level results uploaded on the university’s admission portal.

The Senate also approved sanctions against students who failed to appear before the disciplinary committee despite repeated invitations.

In addition to the expulsions, the university withdrew the certificates of 15 former students who allegedly ignored several invitations by the committee.

Also, nine students were exonerated after investigations found them not culpable.

Another 33 students received warnings for various infractions such as conspiracy, hostel racketeering and fighting.

The decisions, the university said, were based on the recommendations of the SDC after thorough review of each case.

Cultism in Nigerian tertiary institutions

Cultism, the presence of secret confraternities and violent student groups, has been a long-standing issue in Nigeria’s universities.

While many of these groups began decades ago with student fellowship roots, they have increasingly been linked with violence, organised crime and clashes that sometimes spill beyond campuses into surrounding communities.

In April 2025, rival cult groups clashed at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Rivers State, prompting police to arrest at least one suspect after gunshots were fired during a confrontation.

Again in September, authorities arrested suspects in connection with a cult-related killing of a student at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Niger State in 2025, highlighting how violent sectarian activity linked to secret societies can lead to loss of life.

‘Integrity is sacrosanct’

Speaking on the development, the Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of Senate, Hakeem Fawehinmi, said the institution would continue to uphold discipline and enforce its rules and regulations without compromise.

Mr Fawehinmi, a professor, said the academic integrity of the University is sacrosanct, and the institution is determined to see that anyone who violates it will be appropriately sanctioned.

“Our goal is not only to enforce discipline but also to guide our students towards responsible citizenship and academic excellence,” he said.

He commended the SDC for its thorough and diligent handling of the cases and urged students to conduct themselves responsibly and avoid actions that could jeopardise their academic pursuits.

He also reaffirmed the university’s commitment to maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment.

He added that the institution would continue to strengthen student engagement, counselling and orientation programmes to promote responsible conduct and prevent disciplinary infractions.

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Sunday declared a two-week total and comprehensive warning strike across all public universities in Nigeria.

The announcement was made by the National President of the Union, Prof. Chris Piwuna, at an ongoing press briefing in Abuja on Sunday at the University of Abuja.

“Compatriots of the press, it goes without saying that there is nothing sufficient on the ground to stop the implementation of the ASUU-NEC’s resolution to embark on a two-week warning strike at the expiry of the 14-day notice given on the 28th September 2025.

“Consequently, all branches of ASUU are hereby directed to withdraw their services with effect from midnight on Monday, the 13th October, 2025.

 “The warning strike shall be total and comprehensive as agreed at the last NEC meeting,” Piwuna said.

The latest standoff between the university lecturers and the Federal Government comes despite ongoing negotiations aimed at averting another round of industrial action in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

On Wednesday, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed in Abuja that the government had entered the final phase of talks with ASUU and other unions to resolve lingering disputes over welfare, funding, and the implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement.

Alausa noted that the Tinubu administration had already made significant progress with the release of N50bn for the payment of Earned Academic Allowances, while another N150bn had been captured in the 2025 budget for needs assessment, to be disbursed in three tranches.

Punch

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By Our Correspondent

Renowned professor of International Law, and deputy vice-chancellor, academic, University of Abuja, Aisha Sani Maikudi, has been appointed acting vice-chancellor of the University by the Senate.

Her appointment was announced following her nomination at the valedictory Senate meeting held on Wednesday 26th June 2024 on the Main campus.

According to the vice-chancellor, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, Maikudi’s appointment was in a “temporary capacity effective after the tenure of the current vice-chancellor, pending the ratification by the Governing Council.”

Na’Allah rounds off his tenure on 30th June 2024 after a five-year impactful and transformational leadership at the University.

In her acceptance speech, Maikudi, aged 41, expressed gratitude to members of the Senate for the confidence reposed in her. She said, “I want to extend my deepest respect and appreciation to you all for the strong support and unwavering commitment that you have accorded me.”

Profile

Professor AISHA SANI MAIKUDi was born on 31st January 1983, the youngest female professor of Law in the Northwestern Nigeria and the University of Abuja.

She attended Queens College, Lagos where she obtained her West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
She proceeded to the University of Reading, graduating with LLB in 2004 and LLM from the London School of Economics & Political Science in 2005; and later bagged a PhD in International Law in 2015 from the University of Abuja.

Maikudi joined the service of the University of Abuja on 4th September 2008 as Lecturer II and rose to the rank of professor in 2022.
She became the first female Deputy Dean, at the University’s Faculty of Law, in 2018; and later, the pioneer director, University of Abuja International Centre in 2019.

Maikudi has attended several National and International conferences in the UK, US, South Africa, Germany, Italy, and Egypt, etc as well as conducted several research on United Nations Law and has written extensively in the area.

She is a member of several professional bodies including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Law Teachers Association (NLTA), and International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

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