FLASH: OAU Students Protest Tuition Fee Hike (Photos)

Scores of students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, on Tuesday, took to the school gate to express their dissatisfaction with the raised tuition fees announced by the school management.

Some students expressed their determination to continue protesting until the school authorities reverted to their previous fees, stating that the fee increase lacked empathy.

The students also urged the Federal Government to allocate the funds from subsidy removal towards education instead of allowing an increase in school fees.

The protesting students were calling for a 50% reduction on the original fee and installment payment activation.

Addressing the students at the campus gate of the university, Kanmi Adewara, Director, ICT, OAU who spoke on behalf of the Vice Chancellor said the installment payment was not activated earlier because of staff shortage.

He, however, promised that the installment payment would be activated before the close of work today.

Recall that the management of OAU had announced the reduction of its fees after meeting the representatives of the students Union leaders of the university.

This was revealed to our correspondent in a statement signed by the University Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju.

According to the statement, “In a rare show of administrative magnanimity, the authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, have readjusted downward the sundry charges payable by the students of the University.

“This followed the meeting the University management had with the leadership of the Students Union on Monday, 25th September 2023.

“A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that the meeting, which lasted for several hours, was called by the University management, after several agitations by the students union for a reduction of the initial charges approved by the University.

“Although the Students Union leaders were adamant that the charges be reduced by 50%, the University management made it clear that the new charges were the minimum the University required to run efficiently.

“Accordingly, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon BAMIRE, graciously announced that the charges initially announced have been reduced as follows:
“ the students in Humanities, the initial sundry charges of #89, 200 for returning students have been reduced to #76,000 while the new students in the Humanities, the initial fees of #151,200 have been reduced to #131,000.

“For those in the Sciences and Technology, the initial charges of #101,200, for returning students is now #86,000 while the new students in the same Faculties will now pay #141,000 instead of the initial #163,200.

“In the same vein, the returning students in the Pharmacy and College of Health Sciences will now pay #109,000, instead of #128,200. The new students in the same Faculties will now pay #164,000 instead of the initial charges of #190,000.

“The statement added that the University management has agreed that the payment can be in two equal installments.

“Meanwhile, the University portal is now open to students for payment.”

• Sodiq Lawal