Fees Hike: Anxiety As OAU Students Prepare For Resumption

There is growing anxiety among students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, as the institution prepares to resume the 2024/2025 academic session.

Osun Defender gathered that fresh students of the university will begin their academic activities on October 28th, 2024, while returning students will resume on November 3, 2024.

The university management had in September 2023 increased the tuition fees, placing a significant financial burden on the students.

Findings by Osun Defender revealed that returning undergraduate students of Law, Arts, Social Sciences, Administration, and Education had paid N19,700, those in Sciences, Administration, Education (Science), Technology, and Agriculture also paid N19,700, while students in Medicine, Dentistry, Medical Rehabilitation, Nursing, and Pharmacy paid N30,700.

After the fee hike, returning students in Sciences and Technology were instructed to pay N86,000, Humanities students will pay N76,000, while those in Pharmacy and College of Health Sciences are to pay N109,000.

As the ivory tower sets to resume, Osun Defender gathered that the hike has put many students in a different situation, as some of them are uncertain about their financial capacity to continue their education, due to the economic situation of the country.

A couple of the students who spoke with the medium held that education is becoming a luxury that is increasingly difficult to afford.

Several students, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds, fear that they may be forced to drop out if the fees remain.

Babatunde Adewoyin, a final-year student from the Faculty of Social Sciences, expressed his frustration: “It feels like we are being punished for wanting to get an education. My parents are civil servants, and with the increase in fees, it’s been really tough. They’ve had to take out loans just to keep me in school. I don’t know if we can sustain this for much longer.”

Mudathir Adegbite, a student in the Department of Biochemistry, highlighted the lack of adequate financial support systems.

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He said, “There are very few scholarships available, and even those are highly competitive. If you don’t have connections or top grades, you’re left to fend for yourself. Many of us rely on part-time jobs or small businesses to make ends meet, but it’s not enough when you have rent, food, and transport costs to worry about.”

For some, the increased fees have pushed them to consider leaving school altogether.

A second-year student from the Faculty of Education, who requested anonymity, shared her heartbreaking decision: “I’m thinking of dropping out. My parents have tried their best, but with the way things are going, I don’t want to keep stressing them. I’ve already missed two semesters trying to gather enough money, and it’s affecting my mental health.”

Despite these challenges, some students are finding ways to cope. Many have turned to crowdfunding platforms, appealing to friends, family, and even strangers to help cover their fees.

“I never thought I would have to ask for money publicly, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I’ve seen some success, but it’s not sustainable,” said Emeka, a third-year Law student.

“At this point, you can’t afford to spend money frivolously.

“I’ve had to cut down on a lot of things. No more eating out, no more trips home unless absolutely necessary.

“It’s tough, but we have to focus on what matters: our education,” noted Funke Ademola, a medical student.