Outrage has trailed remarks made by a Deputy Vice Chancellor of Atiba University, Oyo State, who branded protesting law students "intellectually bankrupt" during a demonstration sparked by the Council of Legal Education's decision to impose a 10 year moratorium on the university's Law programme.

In footage circulating online on Tuesday, the official addressed students gathered outside the university on Monday and said: "Listen, listen! Many of you are intellectually bankrupt. When I say you don't know what your future holds and you are replying to me, I'm a successful man! If you can be like me in life, thank your Almighty God! What are you talking about?"

The students were protesting the CLE's finding that the university's facilities were "inappropriate and inadequate" for establishing and operating a Faculty of Law, and that the institution had admitted and graduated students without obtaining the requisite regulatory approval. The moratorium has left affected students and graduates uncertain about their progression to the Nigerian Law School.

Earlier in the exchange, the DVC had urged calm, telling the crowd: "Let's calm down. We're all intellectual beings, so one day you might even find yourself in my shoes. So, don't talk rubbish because you don't know what your future will be." When a student displayed a document showing the CLE's decision dated 19th August, the official dismissed it, saying: "Doesn't matter! Just listen! Noise will not help you! Crisis will not help you!"

The DVC also told students that problems with the Law programme predated the university's accreditation, a remark that drew loud boos. On Tuesday, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Akinteye Babatunde, posted a video showing the DVC scaling a fence in an apparent bid to leave the premises after students blocked his exit.

In a press release dated 24th August 2026, NANS expressed solidarity with the protesting students and criticised the university management for continuing to admit students into the programme despite lacking CLE recognition. The association stated: "Despite the University's inability to secure the recognition and approval of the Law programme by the Council of Legal Education, which has left graduates stranded and unable to proceed to the Nigerian Law School, the management of Atiba University, Oyo State, is still admitting students into this programme."

NANS called on the National Universities Commission to withdraw the university's licence and demanded a clear pathway for eligible students and graduates to the Nigerian Law School, warning that failure to act would lead to further escalation.