OAU students kick against hike in fees, alarmed most old students may not be able to resume studies
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ile have kicked against the increase in fees introduced by the institution on Tuesday, expressing fears most old students may not be able to resume studies because of the hike amid general economic hardship affected them and their sponsors.
The school raised fees for freshers from N20,100 to N28,100 and old students from N89,200 to 101,200 per session.
New students in the faculties of arts, law and humanities will pay N151,200 and old students N89,200.
OAU Students Union Government (SUG) Secretary Akinboni Opeyeni lamented most old students may not return to school as the fee rise is too outrageous for them.
“We are mobilising student leaders on ways to engage the school management to resolve the issues as we have been meeting with the authority to avert the hike,” he said.
OAU Public Relations Officer Abiodun Olarewaju explained in a statement the fees were approved by the University Senate at its meeting on September 12.
“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.
“In addition, the new students being admitted into the Faculties in the College of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Pharmacy are to pay N190,200 and returning students will pay N128, 200 respectively,” Olarewaju said, per Vanguard.
“The decision was taken by the Senate of the University at its emergency meeting on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. The above adjustable fees are just for an academic session.”
The increase in fees contradicts the assurance given in July by President Bola Tinubu that federal universities will not be allowed to charge or raise tuition fees.
“For the avoidance of doubts, federal universities in Nigeria remain tuition-free,” Tinubu disclosed through his then-Spokesman Dele Alake.
“We are aware that some universities have in recent weeks announced increases in the amount payable by students on sundry charges.
“However, the fact remains, and we have confirmed that these are discretionary charges by each university for hostel accommodation, registration, laboratory, and other charges. They are not tuition fees.
Alake said the government remained committed to its promise of ensuring every Nigerian, regardless of the economic situation of their parents, has access to quality tertiary education.
“Parts of the government’s plans to make sure all diligent students complete their education on time, notwithstanding their parents’ financial situation, include work-study, merit-based scholarships and grants.”
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No federal varsity is allowed to charge tuition fees, Abuja insists
Education Ministry Permanent Ministry David Adejo repeated the position of the government in August when he told federal lawmakers no federal university is allowed to charge or raise tuition fees.
He described as unfortunate the increase in charges by such universities.
“What they collect is charges to cover the cost of accommodation, ICT, and power, among others. It is the Governing Councils of the Universities that have the power to approve such charges for them,” Adejo testified before House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Student Loans, per The PUNCH.
“The only university that increased charges after the signing of the Students’ Loan Act is the University of Lagos.
“They came to the Ministry with a proposal to increase their charges because all Governing Councils were dissolved and we gave them approval.
“Immediately that was done, there was a resolution from the House stopping the increase in fees and the President also gave a directive stopping any increase in fees and that is where it is, even though several others have brought their proposal.”
Adejo said charges collected by federal universities are used to pay for some of their services, including electricity bills, and denied reports the Students’ Loan Act is responsible for the hike in fees.