On Monday, students at the University of The Gambia (UTG)’s Kanifing campus protested the dismissal of two senior lecturers, Dr. Alieu Gibba and Professor Matarr Njie.
After accusing the university management of “nepotism, favouritism, and a lack of motivation,” the two were reportedly removed.
While university officials contended that the allegations violated the institution’s service rules and tarnished its reputation, Vice-Chancellor Herbert Robinson dismissed these claims as unfounded. Dr. Gibba and Professor Njie denied any misconduct, claiming that their actions were taken in the exercise of their constitutional rights and in “good faith.” Citing a conflict of interest, they declined to partake in a disciplinary hearing. A protest was organised by a group of students who identified themselves as the Concerned Students of the University of The Gambia in response.
The Gambia Police Force issued a severe warning prior to the demonstration, declaring unauthorised protests to be unlawful. On-site during the protest, Regional Police Commissioner Samba Jawo reiterated this message. Nevertheless, the students contended that it was their right to peacefully protest, which resulted in a contentious exchange with the police. During the protest, a student leader addressed the police commissioner, asserting that they have the right to protest on the university campus.
The students resumed their demonstration after a disagreement with the police commissioner. “The Vice Chancellor of the University of the Gambia serves as the president.” This issue has been the subject of numerous meetings; however, no resolution has been reached. Our examinations are scheduled for Monday. Lecturers have organised a strike. We are scholars. We are in a predicament and are uncertain about the outcome of our assessments. There has been no action taken. Our student leaders have been actively involved, yet they have not taken any action. “This is the reason we, as concerned students of the University of the Gambia, came here to protest,” stated a student who was concerned.
The injustice that was inflicted upon our lecturers and our peers at the BPA must cease. I am a senior student at the University of the Gambia, and I am a student from SAS. I have been a counsellor for five years, and I am over 40 years old. Another student expressed, “I am not afraid of anything today.”
Students from the School of Business and Public Administration at the University of The Gambia, who are particularly concerned, are advocating for the reinstatement of their “most active” and dedicated lecturers, who were “unfairly” dismissed as a result of a disagreement with university officials. The students later congregated outside the Vice Chancellor’s office to demand his presence to address their grievances, continuing their protest. However, no response was provided. The police escorted the Vice-Chancellor off the premises, and he declined to confer with them.
