The University of Abuja has expelled 28 students after a sweeping disciplinary exercise that uncovered cases of cultism, drug offences, examination malpractice and other serious misconduct.

The decision followed the consideration of a detailed report by the Student Disciplinary Committee at the institution’s 191st Regular Senate Meeting. The Senate resolved that the affected students had breached core regulations designed to safeguard academic integrity and campus security.

In a statement signed by the Acting Director of Information and University Relations, Dr Habib Yakoob, the university disclosed that the offences ranged from cult-related activities and threats to life to examination malpractice and drug possession.

The statement added that some of the students were found guilty of assault, conspiracy, burglary and theft. Others were sanctioned for falsifying O’ Level results uploaded on the university’s admission portal, as well as for the possession and use of hard drugs.

In a further move to reinforce discipline, the Senate approved the withdrawal of certificates earlier issued to 15 former students who repeatedly ignored invitations to appear before the disciplinary committee. University authorities said their refusal to submit to the process undermined the institution’s rules and left serious allegations unresolved.

Not all students investigated were found culpable. Nine were fully exonerated after the committee concluded that there was insufficient evidence against them. Another 33 students received formal warnings for lesser offences, including hostel racketeering, conspiracy and fighting.

Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of Senate, Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi, said the decisions reflected the university’s resolve to protect its standards and ensure a safe learning environment.

He stressed that the academic integrity of the institution remained “sacrosanct” and that any student who violated established regulations would face appropriate sanctions. According to him, discipline is central not only to learning but also to shaping students into responsible citizens.

Fawehinmi noted that while the university would continue to enforce its rules without compromise, it was also expanding counselling, orientation and student engagement programmes to prevent future misconduct and address underlying social pressures.

The crackdown highlights growing concern within Nigeria’s tertiary institutions over cultism, examination fraud and related criminal activities, and signals UniAbuja’s intention to confront such threats decisively.