The University of Ibadan (UI) Students’ Union on Friday rejected the increase in tuition fees that the school’s governing council had approved.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the students protested throughout the night from 10:20 p.m. to 2 a.m. to express their discontent.
In a statement, the union’s secretary, Daniel Elemide, vice president Bolutife Aboderin, and president Bolaji Aweda all condemned the additional prices.
“We reject the decision made by the council. We are embarking 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,” they said.
The leaders of the union advised students to use social media platforms to organise others behind the hashtags #UIFEESMUSTFALL and #SAVEUITES until their demands were fulfilled.
According to NAN, the university’s governing board decided on Thursday to raise the tuition for students from 100 to 400 level and to set a deadline for payment.
The decision was made at the council’s first meeting, which took place earlier on Thursday, and it took into consideration the new levy as recommended by the university’s Senate, according to a statement signed by G.O. Saliu, the registrar and secretary to the council, and made accessible to UCJUI.
According to the council, students who haven’t finished registering are urged to do so by September 4 at the latest.
“Consequently, students who are yet to pay and complete their registration exercises are advised to do so, on or before Sept. 4, to enable departments download lists of registered students, in preparation for the First Semester Examination,” the release read in part.
The council also encouraged students to apply for financial aid programs that help underprivileged students, including as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and other scholarships provided by the university and other donors.
The council also said unequivocally that the portal will close after the designated day, therefore there would be no extension of the registration deadline.
“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 weil-meaning philanthropists, to cater for indigent students.
“Above is for strict adherence as the portal will not be opened after the deadline,” the released further clarified.
