Educator from the US Urges Tinubu to Step In for Lecturer Facing 20 Years of Victimization
John Oshodi, a US-based educator, has strongly condemned the ongoing victimization of Nigerian lecturer Inih Ebong, who has faced over two decades of injustice despite multiple court rulings in his favor. Oshodi called this prolonged mistreatment an “institutional failure” and a direct challenge to the authority of Nigeria’s government and judiciary. He argues that the University of Uyo (UniUyo) has not only failed to uphold the law but also damaged the integrity of the country’s educational system.
Mr. Ebong, once an associate professor of theatre arts at UniUyo, was unjustly dismissed in 2002 after persistently criticizing the university’s alleged mismanagement and corruption. Despite several court rulings favoring Ebong, the university has refused to reinstate him or pay his owed salary and benefits. Over the years, five different vice-chancellors of the university have ignored the court’s clear mandate, continuing the injustice.
The situation worsened when UniUyo’s leadership, under then-Vice-Chancellor Akpan Ekpo, published a national disclaimer about Mr. Ebong after his dismissal, preventing him from securing other employment opportunities. This has left Mr. Ebong jobless and struggling to support his family for over 20 years. Tragically, in 2020, he was diagnosed with cardiac failure, which further complicated his fight for justice.
In a recent opinion article, Oshodi called for immediate action from Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu. He stressed that the refusal to comply with legal rulings by a public institution not only undermines the Nigerian judicial system but also sets a dangerous precedent for other institutions. “The failure to act on the court ruling is not just an institutional failure; it’s a direct affront to the government, judiciary, and the Federal Ministry of Education,” Oshodi said.
Oshodi, a professor with expertise in cross-cultural psychology and social justice, urged President Tinubu to swiftly address this matter and ensure that justice is served. He recommended the removal of Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, the current Vice-Chancellor of UniUyo, due to his failure to enforce the court’s decisions. Oshodi also suggested that substantial fines be imposed on the university for every day it continues to defy the court’s ruling, serving as a deterrent to other institutions that may consider ignoring the law.
Oshodi believes that immediate action is crucial to avoid sending the wrong message to public institutions. He stressed that Nigeria’s educational system must respect the rule of law to maintain public trust and prevent future injustices. “The Nigerian government must act now to ensure that the University of Uyo faces consequences for its actions. Prof. Ebong deserves to be reinstated, compensated, and given justice for the years of suffering he has endured,” Oshodi concluded.
