UNILORIN moves against illegal grazing, trespassing
By Mustafa Abubakar
The University of Ilorin Management has drawn a firm line against illegal grazing, trespassing and other activities threatening the safety of students, staff and property, as it engaged leaders of neighbouring Fulani communities in a crucial meeting aimed at addressing recurring security concerns on campus.
The meeting, held at the Auditorium Basement penultimate Wednesday (October 14, 2026), brought the University Management face-to-face with Fulani leaders over reports of cattle straying into students’ hostels, academic areas and Senior Staff Quarters, destruction of crops, attacks on security operatives and farmers, and vandalisation of University property.
Speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Management Services), Prof. Olalere Adeyemi, expressed concern over the presence of herdsmen and cattle within the University campus, noting that such activities posed security risks to students, staff and University property.
Prof. Adeyemi noted that some herdsmen had allegedly resisted University security operatives when challenged and, in some instances, resorted to violence. He, therefore, challenged the community leaders to take responsibility for the conduct of their wards and ensure that their activities did not constitute a threat to the peaceful and secure environment of the University.
He particularly stressed the need for the movement of cattle and grazing within the University campus to cease forthwith, noting that the University has a responsibility to protect its academic environment and ensure that activities capable of disrupting teaching, learning and other institutional operations were prevented.
Prof. Adeyemi reiterated the University’s position that grazing and the movement of cattle within the campus must cease forthwith.
He appreciated the commitment of the Chairman, Kwara State Miyetti Allah Fulaku Association, to convene a meeting with relevant Fulani leaders, parents and herders to address the security concerns and prevent further incidents.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor stressed that the University expected the commitments made at the meeting to be followed by concrete action, particularly in preventing further trespassing, unauthorised grazing, vandalisation, theft, destruction of University property and attacks on staff and other members of the University community.
Also speaking, the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Alex Morenikeji Akanmu, welcomed the intervention of the Fulani leaders and expressed happiness that the matter had taken a new and better dimension through dialogue between the University Management and the neighbouring communities.
Prof. Akanmu urged the Fulani leaders to ensure that herdsmen and cattle stayed away from the University campus. He also appealed to them to ensure that attacks on University staff, security personnel and farmers ceas, stressing that the safety and welfare of students remain a major responsibility of the University.
He expressed optimism that the renewed engagement would lead to practical measures capable of preventing further incidents and strengthening the security of students and other members of the University community.
Earlier, the Acting Director of Security, Mr Paul B. Ogidi, explained that the meeting was necessitated by recurring incidents involving some herdsmen within the University environment.
Mr Ogidi said the concerns included trespassing and unauthorised grazing in students’ hostels, academic areas and Senior Staff Quarters; physical attacks on security operatives and farmers, destruction of eight hectares of beans cultivated at the Agricultural and Research Farm of the University; and vandalisation of University property.
He stressed that the issues required urgent attention, particularly as the university resumes full academics activities when there would be increased human and vehicular activities within the University.
In response to the issues raised, the majority of the Fulani leaders acknowledged the concerns presented by the University Management. They noted that similar issues had previously been discussed at meetings convened by the Acting Director of Security.
The Fulani leaders expressed concerns over the conduct of some younger members of their communities and acknowledged that such conduct had placed considerable strain on the relationship between the University and the neighbouring Fulani communities.
The Chairman, Kwara State Miyetti Allah Fulaku Association, Alhaji Mohammed Ali Jowuro, appreciated the patience of the University and appealed for additional time to address the situation.
He promised to convene a meeting involving neighbouring Fulani leaders, parents and herders to find a lasting solution to the challenges. He also promised to invite the University Management to the proposed meeting, emphasising his desire to preserve the existing relationship between the University and the Fulani communities.
The Fulani leaders also expressed their regret over the developments and indicated their willingness to return to their communities to address the concerns raised by the University Management and caution their members against activities capable of threatening peace and security within the University.
The representative of the Director of DSS, Ayoola Joshua, commended the University for adopting a peaceful approach in addressing the matter. He, however, cautioned the Fulani leaders against further acts capable of breaching law and order or tarnishing the image of the University.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment to dialogue, cooperation and peaceful coexistence between the University and its neighbouring Fulani communities.
