UI students protest tuition fee hike

The students of the University of Ibadan (UI) in the Oyo State capital have rejected the tuition fee increment approved by the governing council of the institution.

To show their disapproval, the students staged an overnight protest from 10:20 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday, August 30, 2024.

The President of the UI Students’ Union, Bolaji Aweda, Vice President Bolutife Aboderin, and Secretary Daniel Elemide rejected the new fees via a statement issued on Friday.

They stated: “We reject the decision made by the council. We are embarking on a boycott of classes until our demands are fulfilled.

“We demand a reversal of the increase. The students demand that the school fees portal should be shut down within 24 hours until our demands were met.”

The union leaders urged students to make use of social media platforms to mobilise others on the #UIFEESMUSTFALL and #SAVEUITES until their demands are met.

The UI governing council had, on Thursday, August 29, approved the increase in school fees of students of the university from 100 to 400 level and also fixed deadline for payment.

In a statement signed by the Registrar and Secretary of the Governing Council, G.O. Saliu, the council said the decision was reached at its inaugural meeting held on Thursday and considered the new levy as recommended by the UI Senate.

Students who have not yet completed their registration, the council said, were advised to do so on or before September 4.

“Consequently, students who are yet to pay and complete their registration exercises are advised to do so, on or before September  4, to enable departments download lists of registered students, in preparation for the First Semester Examination,” the council noted.

The council also urged students to take advantage of financial aid including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and various scholarships offered by the university and other benefactors to assist indigent students.

The council added that there would be no extension of the registration deadline, saying the portal would be closed after the specified date.

The Star