By our Reporter
Students at the University of Ibadan (UI) in Oyo State have taken to the streets in protest against the university governing council’s decision to increase school fees for the 2023/2024 academic session.
It was learnt that the fees were increased from N230,000 to N412,000, triggering vile reactions among the student body.
In a statement dated August 30, 2024, signed by the union president, Aweda Bolaji, and issued through the General Secretary, Ogundijo Dolapo Japheth, the Students’ Union rejected the decision made by the governing council.”
At the protest held on August 29, 2024, from 10:20 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., the students resolved that: We reject the decision made by the governing council,” it reads in part.
The students called for a “total boycott of classes till our demands are fulfilled.”According to the statement, “The students demand a reversal of the school fees. The students demand that the school fees portal be shut down within 24 hours until our demands are met.
“The protest that began on August 29th will continue until our demands are fulfilled. The students are encouraged to make full use of social media, and the hashtags #UIFEESMUSTFALL and #SAVEUITES must be used.”
He added that the student’s union will make its resources available for mobilisation, which will start at 5:00 a.m. on Friday.
In a circular issued on Thursday by the governing council’s secretary, G.O. Saliu, it was announced that following a meeting, the council had approved the revised schedule of levies for newly admitted and returning undergraduate students for the 2023/2024 academic session, as recommended by the university Senate.
The circular further advised that students who have not yet paid and completed their registration should do so by Wednesday, September 4, 2024, to allow departments to prepare lists of registered students for the first semester examinations.
The council also justified the fee increase by referencing current economic conditions and encouraged students to take advantage of the Federal Government’s student loan fund, as well as scholarships provided by the university and various philanthropists to assist those in financial need.