Yusuf Edun
Students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State have staged a protest at the school’s main gate over the recent hike in students’ school fees, demanding at least a 50% reduction in the new charges.
The students barricaded the campus gate of the University in the early hours on Tuesday, to prevent coming in and going out of workers to ensure the management felt their grievances.
According to MAPOLYPress, the protesting students are calling for a 50% cut in the increased tuition costs that the federal university’s administration recently announced.
There have been numerous negotiations between the students and the school administration since the OAU management increased the students’ school fees on September 14, 2023, but neither party has yet come to a consensus.
The students bear placards with different inscriptions such as “Education is bleeding, no need for celebrating” “Fee must fall,” “Let the poor breath,” “Mama Dey sell food, Papa Dey ride Okada where you wan make I see 90k”, among others.
It would be recalled that after the initial increase in the tuition by OAU which sparked protests among the students, the school’s management scaled back its contentious 300% tuition fee increase by 15%.
Abiodun Olarewaju, the OAU’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed the change in a statement, stating the university remained dedicated to responding to the issues brought up by students.
After a lengthy debate with student leaders, the modification was made.
However, it is evident from Tuesday’s new demonstration that the students are not content and demand a further tuition decrease.