Following the endorsement of a recent fee hike by the university governing council, students at the University of Ibadan in Oyo State have initiated a new protest.
The demonstrations reportedly started around midnight on Friday and were sparked by a memo that the secretary of the council, G.O. Saliu, released on Thursday.
The PUNCH was able to receive the circular, which said that the council had “considered the reviewed schedule of levies for newly admitted and returning undergraduate students in the 2023/2024 academic session and approved it as recommended by the university Senate” following a meeting on Thursday.
It further noted, “Consequently, students who are yet to pay and complete their registration exercises are advised to do so on or before Wednesday, September 4, 2024, to enable departments to download lists of registered students in preparation for the first semester examination.”
The council justified the fee increase by citing prevailing economic conditions and urged students to utilise the Federal Government’s student loan fund and other scholarships offered by the university and various philanthropists to support those in financial need.
According to several videos sent to Punch correspondent, students in response, trooped out in their numbers from the hostels, chanting solidarity slogans and songs as they marched around campus.
In a chat, Aduwo told The PUNCH on Friday, “The University of Ibadan students, as of 12:37am today (Friday), are protesting. We are protesting against the ratification of hiked fees by the council. This is in response to the Governing Council’s release.”
In April, the National Association of Nigerian Students kicked against the “outrageous” fee hike for the new UI students, citing financial burdens imposed on families already grappling with economic challenges.
PUNCH
