In the middle of the night on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, as most of the University of Ibadan’s academic and non-academic staff lay deep in slumber, an operation of startling significance unfolded. Under the instruction of the management of the nation’s Premier University led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, woodcutters descended on the iconic Green Heritage Park opposite Queen’s Hall. Over 100 trees were felled, some hacked into pieces, and a few were left scattered like casualties of war.
Unaware of the unfolding environmental tragedy, the campus inhabitants turned in their beds, undisturbed by the low hum of chainsaws and machinery. By the dawn of the same day, a grim reality awaited: the once-vibrant green expanse had been transformed into a barren, brown wasteland.
The Vice-Chancellor’s administration has revealed that the land was cleared to make way for a new Senate Building. However, this decision has ignited widespread controversy, with critics pointing out that the location contravenes the university’s master plan, which earmarked the Ajibode area for such developments.
For decades, Heritage Park has served as more than just a patch of greenery. It was a sanctuary for students engaging in tutorials, a serene meeting point for lovers, a bustling hub for photographers, and a venue for Christian prayer meetings. Above all, it was a symbol of environmental preservation. Its destruction has left many, including staff and students, mourning the loss of a cherished space that represented both cultural and ecological heritage.
“Why destroy the park at night?” questioned a taxi driver on campus. “Just days ago, doctoral graduands gathered here for photos, celebrating milestones. And yet, an institution priding itself on enlightenment has committed this atrocity. Even those who never attended school appreciate the value of greenery. What excuse do professors have for this?”
A bystander lamented, “I planned to bring my family here for a photo. That dream is gone. It’s heartbreaking.”
Heritage Park was the brainchild of Emeritus Professor Olufemi Bamiro during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor (2005–2010). Conceptualised in 2008 by Professor Labode Popoola, a forestry economist, the park was created to commemorate the university’s 60th anniversary. Its destruction has triggered a wave of indignation.
Professor Popoola, now Executive Secretary of the African Forest Forum, decried the act as a devastating blow to conservation efforts. “Heritage Park is gone. This day marks one of my saddest in over 40 years at the University of Ibadan. I blame not just those who authorised this, but also those who stayed silent when they should have spoken out.”
Rosalie-Ann Modder Oyefeso of the Save Our Green Spaces Group accused the administration of undermining the university’s environmental and academic ethos. “The destruction of Heritage Park is a stark reminder of the lack of foresight in leadership,” she said. “How can Nigeria’s oldest university, boasting a Department of Forestry, set such a dangerous precedent?”
Among the many expressions of grief, a poetic protest emerged from Professor Aderemi Raji-Oyelade of the Department of English. In his poem Gaza, he likened the destruction of Heritage Park to the devastation of war:
“The arboreal killers came quietly to break a record
Roots, stem, sap, and foliage—we killed them all in foolish glee.
Yesterday, a Gaza happened in the Heritage Park.”
As calls for protests and even candlelight vigils grow louder, the university community remains united in its demand for accountability. Critics accuse the Vice-Chancellor of high-handedness, citing a lack of consultation and transparency in the decision-making process.
“The VC’s approach is authoritarian,” said one staff member. “He acts without considering the implications or engaging the university community.”
The Heritage Park saga is more than a local issue—it’s a reflection of broader challenges in governance, environmental stewardship, and academic integrity. For many, the barren land now symbolises a betrayal of the ideals the University of Ibadan once stood for.
