OAU SU Reacts To Reduction Of Fees, Directs Students To Suspend Payment

The Students Union of Obafemi Awolowo University OAU, Ile Ife, has directed the students of the University to suspend payment of fees.

The Students Union stated this while reacting to the reduction of fees by the management.

OSUN DEFENDER recalls that the management of the University announced the reduction of its fees after meeting the representatives of the students Union.

This was revealed in a statement signed by the University Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olamrewaju on Monday evening.

The statement said: “In a rare show of administrative magnanimity, the authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University OAU, 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%, but the University management made it clear that the new charges were the minimum the University require 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.”

Reacting to this in a statement signed by the OAU Students Union President, Abbas Akinremi, Secretary General, Akinboni Opeyemi and Public Relations Officer, Omisore Elijah directed the students not to make any payment for now till they revert back.

According to the statement, “Following the notification of the meeting received from the school management, the leadership of the Union, including the CEC, SRC, and the HEC, met with the school management today, September 25, 2023.

“The leadership of the Union strongly stands for a 50% reduction in the announced school charges by the school management. After several agitations from the leadership of the Union.

“The leadership of the Union would like to inform all union members about this latest development proposed by the school management. Unfortunately, the meeting ended in a deadlock as our proposal to the management was not achieved.

“The Leadership of the Union hereby urges every students not to make any payment for now till we revert back.”

• Sodiq Lawal