A viral video of a pageantry contestant reportedly killing a chicken during a live performance has sparked mixed reactions among University of Ibadan students.

The video began circulating across various University of Ibadan students’ WhatsApp groups and X on Saturday, September 19, 2026, following the contestant’s performance at the Students’ Union Week Pageantry.

While the video has sparked reactions across the campus, the Students’ Union called on students to stop circulating it, while concerned groups and students expressed concerns over the act.

Reacting to the incident, an X user described the event as traumatising, while another user described it as alarming.

“It is quite alarming that a lot of these guys have no idea what animal cruelty means or they probably choose ignorance when it comes to their fave. Intellectual gbo gbo nikan le mo.”

A recent graduate of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dr Oloye, also reacted to the incident in a WhatsApp post.

“I have just received a terrifying video of a chicken being mutilated live on stage during the ongoing UISU Pageantry Night. For the avoidance of doubt, this is animal cruelty. Section 495 of Nigeria’s Criminal Code Act criminalises cruelly beating, ill-treating, torturing an animal or causing it unnecessary suffering.”

He also called for the investigation and sanctioning of the contestant.

“The organisers and the University of Ibadan Students’ Union should publicly address and condemn this immediately. This is not what the University of Ibadan should promote.”

Speaking on the conditions surrounding the use of animals for research, Oloye noted that research involving animals is subject to ethical considerations.

“To kill a rat even for research, you have to obtain ethical approval, prove that you need to use actual live rats and that what you want to do cannot be done in ordinary system culture. Else, your research is null and void. You just don’t kill them because they are animals. And even when you want to, it must be without pain. In the most humane way possible.

“Btw, the way people treat harmless animals is a strong reflection of what they have inside of them,” he added.

Also reacting to the trending video, Gabriel, a 300-level University of Ibadan student, commented on the reactions from students on his WhatsApp status.

“Just came across the video of using teeth to unalive a chicken during an SU event. Such isn’t right even though it’s borne out of trying to do something new. However, calling for his expulsion or disqualification is something that’s weird because considering the efforts being put into the rehearsal and all. A day’s mistake can be corrected but not with an intentional act of cruelty.”

Another University of Ibadan student, who requested anonymity, also raised concerns about another performance during the pageantry.

“We should actually address this issue too. There was a female contestant too, during her performance she opened her costume and she had an artificial manhood under her. She was trying to tell the remaining actors that she was a man in woman form.”

These reactions come amid statements of condemnation from the Animal Welfare Students’ Club, University of Ibadan, and reassurance from the Students’ Union that the matter would be investigated.