Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Students of the University of Ibadan have formally petitioned the institution's management over what they describe as the unchecked transformation of the Students' Union Building Pitch and Obafemi Awolowo Hall Stadium into open smoking zones, where individuals allegedly consume tobacco, cannabis and other substances in full view of students using the facilities for recreation and sports.
In an open letter addressed to the Dean of the Student Affairs Division, the students said the SUB Pitch, originally designed for recreation, sports and student activities, had increasingly become a "daylight smoking zone." They alleged that individuals smoke tobacco and cannabis openly at the facility, disregarding students who use the area for exercise, relaxation and social activities. The students also raised concerns about activities at Awo Stadium, particularly at night. According to them, the perimeter, stands and poorly illuminated areas of the stadium have become gathering points for people suspected of smoking and consuming illicit substances.
The students said the activities have created both health and security concerns for students residing in nearby halls of residence. They urged the university management, security authorities, the Students' Union leadership and relevant law-enforcement agencies to urgently investigate the alleged activities and enforce regulations protecting students from exposure to smoking and illicit substance use. They cited provisions of the University of Ibadan Student Information Handbook, particularly Section XV on criminal offences and Section XIV on other offences, arguing that the institution has disciplinary authority to act against conduct that contravenes Nigerian law or is deemed unbecoming of students.
The students also said the public consumption of illicit substances and smoking in common recreational areas raised concerns under Nigeria's tobacco-control laws. They called for sustained security patrols at the SUB Pitch during the day and around the Awo Stadium axis at night, and demanded the restoration of adequate floodlighting around the Awo Stadium perimeter and stands, arguing that poorly lit areas could provide cover for illicit activities.
In a separate statement issued on Thursday, September 24, 2026, a group under the Concerned Students Movement expressed support for the students' calls for an investigation. The group, in the statement signed by its Coordinator, Feranmi Gabriel, and Secretary, Omolaye Emmanuel, said the alleged presence of suspected smokers has become "intimidating" to some students and members of the university community. "The suspected activities, including the alleged consumption of illicit substances, are against the university's regulations and extant laws of the country," the CSM said.
The group called on university authorities to immediately and sustainably enforce measures against illicit gatherings across the campus. It also called on external security and regulatory agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to work with the university to conduct what it described as "safe, credible intelligence-led enforcement."
The CSM further criticised the University of Ibadan Students' Union over what it described as its focus on "partisan politics," urging the union to prioritise student safety and welfare. It specifically asked the union to convene a congress where students could deliberate on security concerns and make recommendations to the relevant authorities. The group also urged the Union of Campus Journalists to use its platforms to amplify concerns about student safety and security.
The students have asked the university management to clarify whether its regulatory position on smoking and substance use in communal spaces has changed. "If, however, the university still stands by its founding ideals and institutional disciplinary codes, then the disparity between policy on paper and enforcement on the ground has become untenable," the students said. They further urged the Student Affairs Division and the Central Student Disciplinary Committee to enforce existing disciplinary provisions against identified offenders, and called on the Students' Union and Sports Council to strengthen oversight of recreational facilities and install clear non-smoking advisories.
The petition comes amid growing concerns about drug abuse in Nigerian universities. The University of Ibadan and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have previously expressed readiness to work together to fight drug abuse among students, with Vice Chancellor Professor Kayode Adebowale assuring the state commander of the NDLEA of the institution's cooperation. Despite these commitments, students say enforcement on the ground has been weak, allowing smoking and substance use to thrive in open recreational spaces.
The students said university sporting facilities should remain safe spaces for recreation rather than places where students are exposed to smoke or potentially illicit activities. They urged the management to take prompt action and provide clarity on its enforcement of existing regulations concerning smoking, substance use, and security within the university's recreational facilities. As of the time of filing this report, the university management had not issued an official response to the petition.
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