OAU Students Union Threatens Shutdown Over 300% Fees Hike
The Obafemi Awolowo University Students’ Union (OAU-SU) administration has criticised the latest tuition fee increase of 300% by the university administration.
This is just as the students union of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Thursday has stormed the streets for another round of protest for the institution’s management revert to the old fees.
Credible News reports that the union said the increase was “unjustifiable” and “insensitive” to the condition of students in a statement made public on September 13, 2023.
The OAU union’s president, Ojo Akinremi, secretary, Akinboni Opeyemi, and Elijah Omisore all signed the statement, which claimed that the increase would make it difficult for many students to pay their education.
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OAU Follows UNILAG’s Lead, Implements Tuition Fee Hike Across Departments
Credible News previously reported that the university revealed in a press release by its public relations officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, that the Senate of the University made the decision to raise the tuition during its emergency meeting on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
He said “for those in the Faculties of Arts, Law and Humanities , the ‘freshers’ will pay N151, 200 while returning students of the same faculties will pay N89,200.
“For those in the Faculties of Technology and Science, the new students will pay N163, 200 and the returning students of the same faculties are to pay N101,200.”
He added that new students being admitted into the Faculties in the College of Health Sciences, and the Faculty of Pharmacy are to pay N190, 200 ( new students) and N128, 200 (returning students) respectively.”
But the student union, in its communique on Wednesday, called on the university management to “immediately reverse the hike,” the statement said. “We also urge students to resist any attempt to collect the increased fees.”
The union said it would be holding a series of protests and other activities to press home its demands.
The statement said the union would be holding a Twitter Space on Wednesday night to discuss the issue with students. The space would start at 9pm.
The union also said it would be calling a physical congress on Thursday to discuss the matter further.
The communique stated that, “There should be a total reversal of the approved increment by the school management. On no account should any student pay the proposed school charges even if the payment portal is activated.”
The university’s management has not yet commented on the students’ protest.
