Fresh protest breaks out in UI as council backs fee hike

Students at the University of Ibadan in Oyo State have commenced a fresh protest after the university governing council endorsed a recent fee hike.

The demonstrations, which began at midnight on Friday, were said to have been triggered by a circular issued Thursday by the council’s secretary, G.O. Saliu.

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The circular, obtained by Freelanews, stated that after a meeting on Thursday, 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.”

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 our correspondent, students in response, trooped out in their numbers from the hostels, chanting solidarity slogans and songs as they marched around campus.

“You have not paid your school fees, and you’re sleeping?” A student was heard saying.

Three students faced a disciplinary panel in July due to their involvement in a May protest against a fee hike on the campus.

The students include Olamide Gbadegeshin from the Institute of African Studies, Aduwo Ayodele from History Department (200 level), and a female student, Nice Linus.

In a chat, Aduwo told Freelanews 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.

According to Freelanews Public Relations Officer Victor Igbudu, the fee increase for the 2023/2024 academic session, which ranged from N230,000 to 412,000, was “unacceptable.”