The recent suspension of students by the management of Benue State University (BSU), north-central Nigeria, over a peaceful protest represents a suppression of human rights.

Development Diaries reports that all 200 to 600-level medical students have been suspended for one month by the school in response to a protest against poor conditions affecting their studies.

It is understood that the students expressed their grievances at the Benue State Government House on 25 October.

Among the grievances raised were arbitrary withdrawal of students, chronic water shortages, and alarmingly overcrowded living conditions.

From every observation, the difficulties raised were significant worries that could jeopardise the students’ general well-being and academic success.

In all fairness, the issues raised by the students are common problems in many public tertiary institutions across the country. These problems are a testament to a lack of funding and inadequate infrastructure

How then is it okay for the school’s management to opt for suspension as a reaction to students taking their protest to the government house?

It goes to question the suppression of freedom of expression and peaceful protest – a constitutional right of every citizen of the country.

Undoubtedly, the suspension is an overreaction to students’ valid concerns about the unsatisfactory conditions at the university. Having a dialogue would have been a more fruitful way to address these complaints.

Students should not be stopped from engaging in peaceful protests to express their grievances because these demonstrations provide valuable lessons in democracy and civic engagement.

Encouraging students to voice their concerns through peaceful means fosters a sense of empowerment, responsibility, and active citizenship.

By allowing students to express their concerns openly, schools can promote a culture of transparency, communication, and respect for diverse opinions.

Furthermore, it is through these peaceful protests that students often initiate positive change within the educational institution, ultimately leading to an improved learning environment for all.

Development Diaries calls on the management of BSU to reverse its decision to suspend the students over their rights to protest, as this action demonstrates suppression of their civic rights, which is unacceptable.

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