Students at the University of Ibadan (UI) have voiced strong opposition to the recent increase in tuition fees, staging an overnight protest to demonstrate their discontent. The protest, which began at 10:20 p.m. and lasted until 2 a.m. on Friday, was organized by the University’s Students’ Union in response to the decision made by the institution’s governing council to raise fees for students across 100 to 400 levels.
In a joint statement issued by the Union’s President, Bolaji Aweda, Vice President, Bolutife Aboderin, and Secretary, Daniel Elemide, the students categorically rejected the fee increase. The statement outlined their demands, calling for an immediate reversal of the tuition hike and insisting that the university’s fee payment portal be shut down within 24 hours until their demands are addressed.
“We reject the decision made by the council. We are embarking on a boycott of classes until our demands are fulfilled,” the union leaders declared.
To further their cause, the Students’ Union urged all students to mobilize through social media platforms using hashtags like #UIFEESMUSTFALL and #SAVEUITES, emphasizing the importance of collective action.
The fee hike was approved by the university’s governing council on Thursday during its inaugural meeting, following recommendations from the university’s Senate. The council set a deadline of September 4 for students to pay their fees and complete their registration, warning that the portal would be closed after that date with no extensions granted.
In an effort to mitigate the impact of the fee increase, the council encouraged students to explore financial aid options, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and various scholarships offered by the university and external benefactors. However, these offers did little to quell the students’ dissatisfaction.
The fee hike and subsequent deadline come after an earlier suspension of the payment deadline following a student protest in July, signaling ongoing tension between the university administration and its student body.
