Students React to University Decline On Reversal Of School Fees Hike and Mandatory Three-Week Break
Ul students have recently faced a stressful period due to various announcements and decisions made by the university. These events have led to an unexpected three-week break.
On Friday, 30th August 2024, a memo from the office of the Registrar was released, asking students to vacate their halls of residence with effect from Saturday, 31st August 2024 to 20th September 2024. This three-week extension according to the memo is to give students ample time to complete their online registration as well as attend to other matters.
But how did we arrive at this point?
It is important to note that on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, the Works and Maintenance Department issued a memo announcing the approval of a 10-hour daily electricity supply on campus. However, despite the intentions behind this decision, it did not sit well with the students.
That same night, students from various halls staged a protest march to the Senate building to express their dissatisfaction with the electricity rationing on campus. The following day, July 17, 2024, the University of Ibadan Students' Union issued a special statement outlining their protest resolutions. These included the immediate withdrawal of the electricity rationing memo, the provision of constant power supply, and a complete reversal of all fees, rather than just a reduction.
Dentatics Press contacted several students to gather their opinions on the UISU's demands, especially regarding the complete reversal of all fees. They were asked whether they believed the university administration would comply with such a demand, and here are some of their responses:
"I knew, and I think we all knew, that the total reversal of all fees was impossible. Not only was a reversal impossible, but a reduction was also highly unlikely, and a refund was just the Student Union adding starry icing on a picnic cake in the skies. The school authority has no personal reason for increasing fees. We often discuss how unfair the increment is and how many students will have to drop out, but the reality is that tertiary education is expensive, and only the privileged can afford it. If you can't, dropping out becomes inevitable. The school requires financial resources to function. Without them, agreeing to 50k per session would lead to the school's collapse, leaving everyone uneducated. The administration chose to sacrifice many to save some, which is better than saving none. With the availability of loans, no one needs to drop out or be sacrificed. So, why the complaints? Any protest should be directed at Aso Villa—the President, the Senate, and the Ministers—since federal student education is subsidized by the government. The lecturers, provost, and VC are just staff, albeit high-ranking, and they are simply doing what is necessary. I suggest a meeting involving all affected parties—students, parents, and lecturers—to address the broader issues within the federal educational system. Such a movement might lead to a reversal of fees, but it would require a revolution larger than the End-SARS protests. Until then, we are just making noise with no real impact".
- Anonymous
Ajibulu David, a 300-level Medical student, stated, "A complete reversal of the school fees is not possible, but a reduction would have been feasible. The increment in school fees is not the fault of the University but that of the Federal Government, as they have refused to fund the university and instead resorted to providing loans for students. Loans, however, will not help with the normal management of the school but will only cover students' fees. A reduction in the fees could have been possible, but not a complete reversal." He added, "The protest was a very good initiative because of its peaceful nature and the attention it brought to the image of the school. The university's management will quickly attend to any issue regarding UI's image rather than UI itself.”
Onaayomishi, a student of Library, Archival, and Information Science, stated, "About the total reversal of the school fees, I feel like we didn't take the right step. What I mean i that the fight for total reversal was a dead end. We should have fought for a reduction in the fees. To be very honest, the school also has a point in its defense. The economy is not the same as it was, so the cost of things has increased, which is understandable."
She further explained, "Instead of fighting for a total reversal, we could have come to a compromise with the school on reducing the fees and extending the deadline. Another thing I would have suggested is payment in installments, but students don't want that."
Moses Dabor, a student of the University of Ibadan, shared his thoughts on the recent happenings in the university, stating, "It was clear that the Management was toying with the Union. The intention behind it was commendable, but I believe it wasn't effective. Maybe with a little more publicity, it would have been.”
During the protest, a meeting was arranged between the Student Union and the Governing Council on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at around 3 p.m. Several resolutions were reached, including a commitment to ensure a consistent and reliable electricity supply on campus, contingent on power availability from the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company of Nigeria (IBEDC). Although no decision was made regarding the complete reversal of all fees and no memo was issued on this matter, it was announced that the original fee payment deadline of August 3 had been extended until further notice.
Dentatics Press sought students' opinions on the student loan, inquiring whether they had applied for it and if they believed it was a solution to the current issues facing students at the University of Ibadan. Here is what some of them had to say:
"Well, I don't think creating the NELFUND loan is the best way forward. Free education is a right, so it's not wrong for the government to fund the university and make education free for all. I did not take the loan. My mum said I shouldn't, which is why I didn't. I don't think loans are the solution; there should be a better way to support education without relying on loans."
- Glory, 200L Zoology student.
“I think it's okay; at least it helps those who are unable to cope. I didn’t take the loan because, even though there was an increase in school fees, my parents were able to afford it. That’s why I didn’t need it. However, I still don’t think loans are the best solution. The government should be able to fund universities, so I believe there should be a better way,” said Tayo, a 200L Communication and Arts student.
"What happened to the free education they talked about? I didn't take the loan because, with the amount of my school fees now, imagine collecting a loan for the rest of my studies—I would end up with around ₦1.6 million in debt. My school fees now is ₦230,500, from ₦68,100. The money used for senators and government officials—can't it be used to fund universities and provide free education for all? Even after collecting a loan, where's the job?" - Jude, a 300L Industrial & Production Engineering Student
The series of memos and protests led to the Governing Council's decision to impose a three-week break, as announced by the Registrar's office. Dentatics Press sought to determine whether students were pleased with the break and what they hoped to accomplish during this period. Here is what some of them had to say:
"I'm indifferent about it. I plan to study and make money." - Tolani Odeyemi, a 300-level Pharmacy.
"I did not see this coming. I woke up to the news when my roommates were making a fuss about it. Some say the school is trying to play games with the students, but that's just speculation. I think the school is not ready to go back on its decision, and they're trying to ensure or maybe give students room to pay up before the stipulated date, which in my opinion is quite harsh and tricky. I think the three-week break is not necessary; an extension of three weeks without a break should have sufficed. I'm neither excited nor sad, but I hope to make good use of the break. I don't have any plans yet, but I think it will involve more studying and trying to keep myself busy." - Akinbobola Isaac, a 300-level MBBS student.
"I don't know if it's a bad thing or a good thing, but hopefully during our exams, they're not going to rush us. I've been hearing rumors that after our exams, we won't be given a break either. I hope we get at least a week break between the first and second semester. This break is a time to figure myself out, rest, and also study." - Oyelami Oyeyisola, a 300-level Adult Education student.
"I would have preferred a three-week break where students wouldn't have to exit their hostels. It's a mixed feeling, I'm neither sad nor happy. I hope to cover up and prepare for my upcoming tests, brushing up on the areas I need to in preparation for my exams." - Annoymous.
The university campus is currently deserted, though students are observed wandering around Zik and Indy Halls. Eyewitnesses reported that Abefele was seen patrolling these halls early Sunday morning.
As stated in the memo released by the Governing Council on August 30, 2024, students are expected to return to campus by noon on Friday, September 20, 2024. The first semester exams are scheduled to begin on September 23, 2024.
Bina Jesse
Adeniyi Oluwadamilola
Abiona Michelle
Michael Felix
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