JUST IN: Crawford University Expels Student After Criticising ‘Draconian Policies’

Crawford University Expels Student After Criticising ‘Draconian Policies’ and Dilapidated Facilities Despite High Fees

A growing controversy has erupted at Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, after the church‑owned private institution expelled a 300‑level Physics student, Eboma Raymond, for allegedly criticising the school’s deteriorating facilities and what he described as “draconian” administrative policies. The decision, formalised in an expulsion letter dated April 24, 2026, has sparked renewed debate about student rights, governance transparency, and the rising cost of private education in Nigeria.

According to documents obtained by Sahara Reporters, the university’s Students’ Disciplinary Committee accused Raymond of making “seditious statements” against the institution, inciting unrest, and violating his matriculation oath. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Olanrewaju Makinde, approved the immediate expulsion, ordering the student to surrender his ID card and vacate the campus.

However, sources familiar with the case insist the disciplinary action was retaliation for Raymond’s outspoken criticism of the school’s poor infrastructure, inadequate learning facilities, and restrictive policies—issues many students have quietly complained about for years. They allege that despite tuition fees ranging between ₦691,050 and ₦759,000 for students in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, the institution has failed to provide facilities that justify such costs.

The university leadership has strongly defended its decision. Prof. Makinde argued that Crawford University operates under clearly established rules aligned with National Universities Commission (NUC) guidelines, and that students are expected to follow formal grievance channels such as the Students’ Representative Council or direct communication with his office. He emphasised that unionism is prohibited on campus—a condition students accept upon admission.

In a statement that has drawn mixed reactions, the Vice Chancellor invoked religious undertones, warning stakeholders not to take actions that could “incur the wrath of Heaven.” He described Crawford as a mission‑driven institution and suggested that reconciliation remained possible if the student chose to “humble himself,” referencing the biblical prodigal son.

The incident has intensified national conversations about accountability in faith‑based universities, the limits of student expression, and the widening gap between tuition fees and educational quality. For many observers, Raymond’s expulsion highlights a broader struggle within Nigeria’s private tertiary sector—where high fees often coexist with infrastructural decay, opaque disciplinary systems, and limited avenues for student advocacy.

As the story continues to unfold, education stakeholders are calling for independent review mechanisms to protect students from institutional overreach while ensuring that universities uphold standards worthy of the financial sacrifices made by Nigerian families.

REFERENCE

https://saharareporters.com/2026/04/25/nigerian-church-owned-crawford-university-expels-student-challenging-draconian-policies