The Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State, has suspended all activities of the Northern Nigeria Students Forum, popularly known as GAMJI Students, following growing rivalry among students seeking to lead the organisation on campus.
The university management announced the suspension in a circular issued by the Student Affairs Office and signed by the Student Affairs Officer, Aminu Musa.
According to the circular, the decision was taken because of increasing competition and rivalry among students contesting for leadership positions in the university chapter of GAMJI Students.
“All activities of GAMJI in the university are hereby suspended indefinitely,” the circular stated.
The management directed all concerned students to comply with the decision and warned that anyone who presents himself or herself as an executive of the suspended forum would face disciplinary action.
The university said it was concerned that the continued rivalry over the leadership of the forum could affect peace and order on campus.
It therefore urged students involved in the dispute to respect the suspension and refrain from activities that could further increase tension within the university community.
The suspension means that GAMJI Students, which has operated as a platform for students from Northern Nigeria, cannot hold meetings, organise activities or carry out other functions on the campus until the university management decides otherwise.
The university did not give a specific date for the suspension to be lifted.
The development is another reminder of the importance of student organisations and their leadership in maintaining peace within higher institutions.
Student associations are common across Nigerian universities and often provide platforms for students to discuss issues affecting them, promote social activities and represent members before university authorities.
However, disagreements over leadership can sometimes create tension among members and affect the wider campus community.
At Modibbo Adama University, the university management appears to have taken the position that the dispute surrounding GAMJI had reached a level that could threaten peaceful coexistence among students.
The Student Affairs Office, which is responsible for student welfare and matters involving student organisations, warned that students should not disregard the suspension.
The warning against anyone parading himself or herself as an executive of the forum is also aimed at preventing competing groups from continuing to operate in the name of GAMJI while the dispute remains unresolved.
The management’s decision could affect students who belong to the forum or participate in its activities on campus. Until a new directive is issued, such students are expected to stay away from activities organised under the name of GAMJI Students.
Leadership disputes are not unusual in student organisations, particularly where different groups seek to control the affairs of an association. Such disputes may involve disagreements over elections, the validity of candidates, recognition of executives or control of the organisation’s activities.
Universities generally have rules governing student unions, associations and clubs because activities of such groups take place within the campus environment and can affect security, discipline and academic activities.
The decision by the Modibbo Adama University management reflects the authority of the institution to regulate activities taking place on its campus and to intervene where it believes a student organisation is becoming a source of tension.
The university’s concern is that prolonged competition for the leadership of GAMJI could go beyond an internal disagreement and create divisions among students.
The management therefore called on the students concerned to put the interest of the university community above the leadership dispute.
It also warned that failure to comply with the suspension could result in penalties.
The university’s action is expected to temporarily halt the activities of the forum while the leadership issue is addressed.
GAMJI Students is known as a platform associated with students from the northern part of Nigeria. Like other student-based organisations, such forums can provide members with opportunities to interact, discuss common concerns and support one another while pursuing their studies.
But university authorities have repeatedly stressed that student activities must not interfere with academic work or threaten peace on campus.
For students at Modibbo Adama University, the latest directive places all GAMJI-related activities on hold indefinitely.
The management has not announced any new arrangement for the forum or indicated when its activities may resume.
The immediate priority, according to the university, is to prevent the leadership rivalry from causing further tension.
The suspension also gives the university an opportunity to monitor the situation and determine how the leadership disagreement can be handled without affecting the wider student community.
Until then, students have been warned not to claim executive positions in the suspended organisation or organise activities in its name.
The university management said strict compliance with the directive was necessary to protect peace and order within the institution.
For the students involved in the leadership contest, the development means that their activities will remain restricted until the university gives further instructions.