SAR’s Academic Freedom Monitoring Project investigates and reports attacks on higher education with the aim of raising awareness, generating advocacy, and increasing protection for scholars, students, and academic communities. Starting July 1, 2026, SAR no longer publishes reports for the incidents that it records. SAR continues to monitor and record incidents that will be used in the annual Free to Think report. This page provides a record of incidents reported up to that date. Learn more about the Academic Freedom Monitoring Project.

Date of Incident: November 11, 2025

Attack Types: Killings, Violence, Disappearances

Institution(s):Lagos State University

Region & Country:Western Africa | Nigeria

New or Ongoing:New Incident

On November 11, 2025, campus security officers violently dispersed students protesting at Lagos State University (LASU).

The students were holding a peaceful rally on campus to demonstrate against a sudden change in university policy that rendered over 300 students ineligible to continue their studies. According to student accounts, they were initially informed that a 3.0 CGPA was sufficient for admission into 200-level degree programs. However, once the semester concluded, the requirement was raised to 3.5. Before the rally, the students had written letters to the Vice Chancellor, the Dean of Student Affairs, and the Lagos State Ministry of Education asking for transparency. During the gathering, they displayed placards with slogans such as “We deserve fairness” and “Keep your promise, LASU.”

Witness reports indicate that the protest remained peaceful until university security officers intervened and used force to disperse the demonstrators. Video footage captured security forces dragging, chasing, and beating students. Several students sustained injuries requiring medical attention, with some reportedly hospitalized.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the use of force during a student protest. Students and members of the public must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and also respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. In addition, while security officers have the responsibility to maintain order and prevent disruption, they must refrain from the disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilians and must respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression. Such actions, beyond harming the immediate victims, have a chilling effect on academic freedom.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://dailypost.ng/2025/11/13/tension-at-lasu-as-security-operatives-assault-students-protesting-admission-exclusion/
https://sundiatapost.com/tension-at-lasu-as-security-assault-students-protesting-over-admission-exclusion/