Education

See Weeks UI Announces for Break Amid Fee Hike Protests, Orders Students to Vacate Hostels by Saturday

Published by Tope Fakinlede on August 31st, 2024.

See Weeks UI Announces for Break Amid Fee Hike Protests, Orders Students to Vacate Hostels by Saturday

In response to a student protest over significant tuition fee increases, the University of Ibadan (UI) has declared a three-week break, instructing all resident students to leave the campus by 2 p.m. on Saturday. The decision follows demonstrations on Friday morning, where students voiced concerns over what they deemed excessive fee hikes.

Protesters highlighted sharp rises in their fees compared to the previous academic year. For instance, students in the Human Nutrition department reported an increase from N58,000 in the 2022/2023 session to N138,350 for 2023/2024. Similarly, those in the Department of Animal Science saw their fees jump from N70,000 to N150,000.

In a circular dated August 30, 2024, and signed by Registrar G.O. Saliu, the university’s management addressed the situation. The circular stated, “Following discussions with the Students Union leadership, the Vice Chancellor, on behalf of the Senate, has approved a three-week break from August 31 to September 20, 2024. Hostels will reopen at noon on September 20.”

The circular outlined that the break is intended to allow students time to complete their online registration. It also noted that the first semester examinations will now commence on September 23, 2024, with the registration portal closing on September 20. The portal will not reopen for late fee payments or course registrations, and students failing to register by the deadline will be barred from exams.

Students are required to vacate the campus by the specified deadline to comply with the new schedule.