Is UNIZIK’s expulsion of Precious Mbakwe justice or scapegoating?

The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, (UNIZIK) has expelled Precious Mbakwe after a viral video showed her attacking a lecturer. This decision has received significant praise from some people. In a country where getting justice can be long-winded or denied outright, the quick action taken here is seen as a win for discipline and moral standards. But should we be celebrating? Or is this another situation where a scapegoat suffers while larger issues go unaddressed?

Moment for Change or Just a Show?
The university’s firm action has been called a strong statement, showing that it prioritises discipline and respect for authority. Yet, the speed of this punishment is surprising, compared to the slow, often absent responses to serious ongoing problems in Nigerian universities. If only there were the same urgency for issues like sexual harassment, bribery, lost examination scripts or scores, and unfair treatment that many students face silently.

There is a troubling contradiction in how quickly UNIZIK acted to expel a student while many allegations of wrongdoing by faculty members remain ignored. Students who speak out against powerful teachers often deal with retaliation through poor grades or lack of support. Where is the outrage in these cases? Where is the rapid response when a student is the victim, not a lecturer?

Illusion of Justice in an Unjust System
It is worth noting that the public discourse around this incident has largely centred on morality—respect for elders, upholding the dignity of academia, and the need to instil discipline among students. These are noble ideals, but they ring hollow when they are selectively applied.
Unlike much of its society, Nigeria’s educational institutions have perfected punishing individuals rather than addressing the underlying causes of misconduct. It is easier to make an example of one student than to engage in the difficult, necessary work of reforming a system that routinely fails students and faculty alike.

The allegations against Precious Mbakwe should neither be excused nor treated as an isolated event divorced from the realities of power imbalance and frustration within the university system. Without understanding what led to this confrontation, the expulsion appears more performative than principled.

Bad Precedent for Student Rights
The handling of this case sets a troubling precedent. It reinforces that students have little recourse when conflicts arise within academic institutions. It signals that when faced with tensions institutions will respond with swift and harsh penalties rather than mediation or restorative justice.
This case also highlights a broader societal trend: the diminishing space for young people to make mistakes, learn, and grow. In an environment where unemployment is high, social mobility is increasingly difficult, and institutional trust is fragile, an expulsion carries consequences beyond the immediate loss of education. It can permanently alter the trajectory of a young person’s life.

There is also the question of fairness in discipline. Are all infractions handled with the same level of severity? Are lecturers who verbally or physically abuse students dismissed with similar swiftness? If universities selectively enforce discipline based on power dynamics, they erode trust and reinforce cynicism among students.

Call for Holistic Reform
If UNIZIK and other Nigerian institutions truly commit to discipline and morality, they must apply these principles consistently. Expelling one student does not cleanse the university of all its sins, nor ensure justice is served. It is high time we enthroned a broader conversation about power dynamics within Nigerian academia and the role of institutions in fostering environments that prioritise fairness, due process, and rehabilitation.
Rather than see this incident as an opportunity to showcase how swiftly punishment can be executed, let it serve as a wake-up call to interrogate the deeper dysfunctions in our educational system, implement policies that address misconduct comprehensively, and create avenues for students and lecturers alike to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence or draconian measures.

Reform must include clear guidelines on discipline applied fairly to both students and faculty. Institutions must prioritise student welfare to create transparent channels for ventilating grievances, and ensure that justice is accessible to all, not just to those in authority.

The true test of moral leadership is not in how quickly one metes out punishment but in how consistently one upholds justice. Will UNIZIK rise to this challenge, or will it remain content with the illusion of discipline while the real issues go unaddressed?
• Mr Ukoh, an alumnus of the American University of Nigeria, Yola, and PhD student at Columbia University, wrote from New York.