Students of the University of Ibadan (UI) have started protests following the university governing council’s endorsement of a recent fee hike.
The demonstrations began at midnight on Friday, sparked by a circular issued on Thursday by the council’s secretary, G.O. Saliu.
The circular revealed 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.”
The statement also urged students who have not yet paid their fees and completed registration to do so by Wednesday, September 4, 2024, to ensure they are listed for the upcoming first-semester examination.
The council defended the fee increase by citing the prevailing economic conditions in the country.
It encouraged students to take advantage of the Federal Government’s student loan fund and other scholarships provided by the university and philanthropists to support those facing financial difficulties.
However, the fee hike has ignited widespread dissatisfaction among the students, leading to the midnight protest outside the Vice-Chancellor’s lodge.
Protesters, chanting “Adebowale! Fees must fall!!”, voiced their discontent with the decision, demanding an immediate reversal of the fee hike.
The scene was charged as protesters sang various solidarity songs, led by a student with a public address system, amplifying their grievances against the management’s decision.
The entrance to the Vice-Chancellor’s lodge was guarded, but the protest continued peacefully, with students showing no signs of backing down.
Recall in July, the student had started a protest against changes in the power supply announced by the university management.
The management’s decision to limit the power supply to just 10 hours a day has sparked widespread criticism among the students, who fear it will disrupt their academic and personal activities. It was not until the reversal of the rationing that the protest ended, and the management suspended fee payment to review the increase.
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