UNIPORT has dissolved its Students’ Union leadership, ordered an immediate handover of union assets and records, and directed former officials to appear before an investigative panel.
The management of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has dissolved the institution’s Students’ Union leadership and suspended all Students’ Union activities with immediate effect, marking a significant administrative decision that has drawn attention across the university community.
The announcement was made through an official memorandum issued by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs.
The directive, dated July 19, 2026, was signed by the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. G. N. Woke, following the approval of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chike Princewill R. Chike.
According to the memorandum, the dissolution affects every arm of the Students’ Union, including Hall Representatives and all other student union-related activities within the institution.
The university stated that the suspension will remain in force until a fresh directive is issued.
The decision effectively brings the operations of the Students’ Union to a halt, with elected officers stripped of their official responsibilities pending further action by the university administration.
As part of the directive, all executive members of the dissolved union have been instructed to immediately surrender every item belonging to the Students’ Union that is in their possession.
The university said the handover should be made to the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs without delay.
Among the materials listed for submission are official documents, financial records, identification materials, keys, union property and any other assets connected with the administration of the Students’ Union.
The institution emphasized that the directive covers every item acquired or managed in an official capacity during the tenure of the outgoing leadership.
In addition to handing over union property, the affected student leaders have also been directed to cooperate fully with an investigative panel constituted by the university.
The administration stated that former executives must make themselves available whenever they are invited to appear before the panel.
The purpose of the investigation, according to the memorandum, is to enable the affected officers to account for their stewardship during their time in office.
However, the university did not provide details about the specific issues the panel is expected to examine.
While the memo confirmed that an investigative panel has been established, it stopped short of revealing whether the exercise was prompted by financial concerns, administrative complaints, disciplinary issues or other matters relating to the activities of the Students’ Union.
University authorities also issued a stern warning that failure to comply with any aspect of the directive would attract disciplinary action.
Officials were urged to obey the instructions promptly to avoid sanctions under the institution’s regulations.
The memorandum further revealed that copies of the directive had been circulated to principal officers of the university, including the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellors overseeing Administration and Advancement, Academic Affairs, and Research and Development, as well as the Registrar, Bursar, Chief Security Officer, Deans of Faculties, Heads of Departments and other relevant units.
The broad circulation of the notice indicates that the university intends to ensure full institutional awareness and enforcement of the decision across all academic and administrative departments.
Students’ unions in Nigerian universities traditionally serve as the official representatives of the student body, advocating for students’ welfare, engaging university authorities on academic and non-academic matters, and organising student-related programmes.
As a result, the suspension of such structures often has implications for student representation and campus governance until new arrangements are introduced.
Although the university has announced the dissolution of the existing leadership, it has not indicated whether an interim management structure will oversee student affairs during the suspension or when a fresh Students’ Union election may be conducted.
Similarly, no timeline has been provided for the investigative panel to conclude its work or submit its findings to the university management.
The absence of an official explanation for the dissolution has generated interest among members of the university community, with many awaiting further clarification from the institution regarding the reasons behind the action and the expected outcome of the investigation.
For now, the university’s position remains that all dissolved union officials must comply fully with the handover directive and cooperate with the investigative panel as the administration proceeds with its review of the Students’ Union’s affairs.
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