35k to 200k: UI students Protest hiked Tuition fees

A fresh protest has rocked the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State as students rejected the school fee increment approved by the institution’s governing council.

The protest which began in the early hours of Friday, saw some of the students going around to enforce that no classes were held until the fees are reduced.

It was gathered, that the protest at the instance of the approval for fee increment by the governing council of the premier university.

Some of the students speaking to newsmen lamented that their school fees had been increased by more than one hundred percent.

A student from the Department of Human Nutrition, who spoke in confidence due to fear of intimidation, said that students in the department paid N58,000 during the last session.

However, she was surprised when the fees were increased to N138,350 for the new session.

“In our department, Human Nutrition, during the 2022/2023 session, we paid N58,000, and now for the 2023/2024 session, we were asked to pay N138,350,” she said.

A student from the Department of Animal Science said that fees in the department had also been increased, adding that majority of the returning students were yet to pay the new school fees.

“In the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, we paid N70,000 for the 2022/2023 session, and now for the 2023/2024 session, it has been increased to N150,000.

“Most of us have not seen the money. We are yet to pay. The students are protesting now. We cannot attend lectures,” he said.

The Governing Council of the University of Ibadan has approved the increment in school fees for students from 100 to 400 level and also fixed deadline for payment.

The institution’s Registrar and Secretary to the Council, G.O. Saliu said in a statement, that the decision was reached at the inaugural meeting of the Council held earlier on Thursday, and it considered the new levy as recommended by the Senate of the University.

Students who have not yet completed their registration were advised to do so on or before Wednesday, September 4, 2024, according to the Council’s directive.

“Consequently, students who are yet to pay and complete their registration exercises are advised to do so, on or before Wednesday, 04 September 2024, to enable departments download lists of registered students, in preparation for the First Semester Examination”, part of the statement read.

Additionally, the Council urged students to take advantage of financial aid such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and various scholarships offered by the University and other benefactors to assist indigent students.

It further made it clear, that there would be no extension of the registration deadline, as the portal would be closed after the specified date.

“Council equally directed that students be encouraged to take advantage of the students’ loan fund (NELFUND) and sundry scholarships instituted by the University and other well-meaning philanthropists, to cater for indigent students.

“Above is for strict adherence as the portal will not be opened after the deadline,” the release further clarified.

It would be recalled that the deadline for the payment of school fees was initially suspended following the July protest, and the Governing Council decision was crucial to fee increment that was previously introduced by the management.