Ogun Deputy Gov Escapes Attack as MAPOLY Students Protest Hike in School Fees
The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, narrowly escaped an attack on Wednesday when her convoy encountered a procession of students from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) who were protesting a hike in school fees by the institution’s management in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Salako-Oyedele’s convoy was en route to the 35 Artillery Brigade Alamala in Abeokuta to represent Governor Dapo Abiodun at the reception marking the 2025 edition of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations. However, as the convoy approached the Oke-Ilewo area of the city, close to the State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), it ran into the mass protest of MAPOLY students.
The students, armed with placards, were voicing their displeasure over a 150% hike in school fees imposed by the polytechnic management. The protesters were also demanding the release of their Higher National Diploma (HND) final year results, which they claimed had prevented them from being mobilized for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The protest, which had been ongoing for three days, led to a complete standstill in traffic at the Iwe Irohin axis as the students defied pleas from the police to disperse. As the Deputy Governor’s convoy approached, the students surged toward it, prompting her security details to take immediate action.
Escalation and Security Response
Upon encountering the protesters, Salako-Oyedele’s convoy quickly attempted to make a detour to avoid direct confrontation. Despite this, the students caught up with the convoy, forcing the security personnel to fire several warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd and ensure the Deputy Governor’s safe passage.
In a statement reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser to Governor Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, explained that the students were armed with sticks and other potentially dangerous objects. Akinmade stated that the situation became more volatile once the protesters realized it was the Deputy Governor’s convoy. Despite efforts by police officers, including the Metro Area Commander of Zone II, to calm the situation, the students continued their aggressive pursuit.
“This led to the decision of the convoy to detour to allow the protesters to pass before the Deputy Governor proceeded to her scheduled function. Notably, there was an obstruction of vehicular movement, and some security vehicles were damaged in the process,” Akinmade added.
Students Deny Confrontational Intent
However, in response to claims of a confrontational attack on the Deputy Governor’s convoy, Comrade Adeyanju Francis, the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Ogun State, denied any intent to harm or attack Salako-Oyedele. According to Francis, the students merely gathered when they saw the convoy, believing that the Deputy Governor was coming to address their grievances regarding the fee hike and other issues.
He further clarified that six Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), along with a Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, were present during the protest, which he described as peaceful.
“At no point did the students have any intention to attack the convoy. They simply expected the Deputy Governor to address them regarding the school fee hike and other issues affecting them,” Francis stated.
Ongoing Protest
The protest has continued for several days as students of MAPOLY remain firm in their demand for the reversal of the fee hike and the release of their academic results. The situation has raised concerns over the handling of student grievances and the broader issues surrounding education policies in Ogun State.
As the matter unfolds, both the government and student leaders will likely engage in further discussions to resolve the crisis, with the authorities aiming to restore calm and ensure the safety of all parties involved.
