Academic activities were paralysed at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, as students in the early hours of Tuesday, October 3, shut the institution’s main gate to restrict vehicular movement in protest of the recent increment in school fees.
OAU management announced new increased school fees on September 14, 2023.
This increase has since led to a series of discussions between the student union and the school management, with the student body demanding a significant decrease in the fees.
The management of OAU had reviewed the school fees payable by the students of the university.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olanrewaju, stated that the management reduced the fees after a meeting held with the students.
However, the Students’ Union leaders were adamant, insisting that the fees should be reduced by 50 per cent.
The students, who stormed the varsity premises began the protest early Tuesday morning carrying placards reading “When I dey pay 20k, I dey borrow money. Where you wan make I 90k? #FeeMustFall”, “I cannot afford to drop out. #FeeMustFall”, “My Mama dey sell Fufu, my papa dey ride Okada. Where you won make I see 90k? #FeeMustFall.”
The Secretary General of the varsity Students’ Union, Akinboni Opeyemi, confirmed this to our correspondent, adding that the student populace does not agree with the current tuition fee.
The students’ union on September 26 urged students of the institution to suspend payment of tuition fees, following the slash in fee hike by the management of the institution.