In February 2020, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Governing Council terminated the appointments of seven lecturers, including Professor Oluwatoyinn Ogundipe and Dr. Taiwo Oyedeji, who had publicly criticized the university administration’s handling of funds and government policies on higher education. The dismissals came shortly after the academics participated in a national debate on university autonomy and funding models, where they presented research contradicting government claims about higher education sustainability.

The University administration cited “misconduct,” “insubordination,” and “violations of the university code of conduct” as reasons for the dismissals. However, termination proceedings deviated significantly from established protocol, with affected academics given no opportunity to defend themselves before the disciplinary committee. Their staff identification cards were deactivated and they were denied access to campus before receiving formal notification of their termination.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) condemned the dismissals as politically motivated attacks on academic freedom and tenure protections. ASUU documentation revealed a pattern of administrative harassment preceding the terminations, including arbitrary reassignment of teaching duties, denial of research funds, and exclusion from departmental meetings.

The dismissed academics filed a lawsuit challenging their terminations, which revealed communications between university administration and government officials discussing the need to “manage problematic faculty.” The case highlighted the increasing politicization of university governance in Nigeria and the vulnerability of academics who engage in public criticism of government policies.