Amoo Kehinde, Ogunriola Anuoluwapo, Jelili Gbadamosi
Students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic took to the streets to protest an alleged hike in tuition fees and demanded the immediate removal of Dr. Adeoye Odedeji, rector of the institution.
The student’s demand was made known during the ongoing protest at the Governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, on Tuesday.
Their discontent stems from the recurrent increase in the acceptance fee, which they argue has placed a significant financial burden on them.
The numbers are staggering: In 2018, the acceptance fee was a manageable 25,000 Naira. By 2021, it had risen to 35,500 Naira, and in 2023, it reached an astonishing 50,500 Naira. The students assert that the institution justifies these hikes by citing the need to rely on Internal Generated Funds (IGF) for sustenance.
To compound matters, students allege that the rector consistently deflects responsibility, claiming he is not the cause of the institution’s issues but rather points fingers at the government.
The students are united in their demand for not only the removal of the rector but also a revision of the exorbitant acceptance fees, which they argue unfairly hinder their pursuit of education.
This protest serves as a powerful manifestation of the frustrations shared by students of the institution and highlights the enduring challenges within the Nigerian educational system.