By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The National Association of Nigerian Students has asked University of Lagos (UNILAG) Students not to pay school fee because of the recent 50 percent hike in price by the university management.
The association asked the university to reverse all hike fees because of the hardship in Nigeria that doesn’t exclude Nigerian Students.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by Comrade Alao John, Coordinator of NANS Southwest which states, “Once again, the Professor Folasade-led management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has launched another unjustifiable assault on the lives and future of Nigerian students. Exactly one year after the infamous 500% fee hike that crippled many of our colleagues, forcing them to drop out or rely on online charity campaigns, we now face yet another increase. This latest hike comes at a time when Nigerian students are already suffocating under severe economic hardship.
“Despite last year’s outrageous fee hike, the classroom environment remains as unconducive as ever, with no visible improvements. Students continue to endure deplorable conditions, including the absence of clean and functional toilets in faculties, particularly in the Faculty of Education. In the Faculty of Arts, students struggle to find seats during lectures, with some forced to stand or sit on the floor in what is supposed to be the “University of First Choice.”
“The situation was so dire that a stampede occurred during GST exams last semester, a direct result of the unjust fee hike that brought no improvements. Even lecturers, essential to academic success, face worsening working conditions. Meanwhile, campus cab drivers have added to the burden by raising fares by 50%, from ₦100 to ₦150. Learning conditions have worsened across the board, leaving students and staff struggling.
“In yet another act of dictatorship, UNILAG management imposed this latest hike without any meaningful consultation with students – the backbone of the university. Students have seen no benefits from last year’s 500% increase. The so-called indigent package has failed to ease the financial strain on students, many of whom have been forced to abandon their education due to the exorbitant fees.
“The Vice Chancellor’s hollow promise of “no student left behind” has been exposed, as many students are now reduced to begging just to survive academically. How does the management sleep at night, knowing students are being crushed under these unjust fees?”
Now, students are being directed to apply for loans that don’t even cover the brand-new, criminal 170% hike in utility and electricity fees! This is a university that generates substantial internal revenue from banks and other institutions on campus, with students being the primary economic drivers. Yet, the management burdens students with utility and electricity bills that exceed those of commercial entities. It is unacceptable for students, who use minimal electricity for academic purposes, to shoulder these costs while businesses profit.
“To make matters worse, the university demands that students pay mandatory ULSU dues despite the fact that there hasn’t been an active student union for over seven years! This is fraud, plain and simple. Students are charged annually for ID cards, yet many who paid last session haven’t received theirs. Those lucky enough to get one card in four years are still forced to pay annually. Adding to the injustice, the management is charging for departmental dues, even though additional payments are required during the registration process.
“To top it all off, students in English, Yoruba Education, and other disciplines are being forced to pay exorbitant laboratory fees for labs they have never used and will never use!
“This daylight robbery by the UNILAG management under Professor Folasade is not only unacceptable but stands against democracy and students’ rights. It is time for students to rise up.
On this note, NANS demands:1. Students are to immediately halt any payments on the school portal until further notice. 2. Immediate and total reversal of the unjust fee hikes, including the 170% utility hike imposed on students. 3. Expungement of criminal charges, including ULSU dues, fraudulent annual ID card fees, departmental dues, and laboratory fees for students who do not use labs or studios.4. A meeting of all stakeholders to review last year’s disastrous 500% fee hike, which has failed to deliver any tangible improvements to student life. 5. Immediate and unconditional reinstatement of the University of Lagos Student Union (ULSU) so that students are properly represented in decision-making processes.
We call on all UNILAG students, students leaders, stakeholders and students across the Southwest to remain vigilant as we prepare for a press conference and mass mobilization. If management refuses to meet our demands, we will organize the mother of all struggles, surpassing last year’s #FeesMustFall movement.”