UI Shuts Down After Students Protest Tuition Fee Hikes
The University of Ibadan (UI) has shut down for three weeks due to student protests over tuition fee hikes. Find out why and what happens next. Continue reading for more details.
The University of Ibadan (UI) has closed down for three weeks following protests against recent tuition fee hikes.
This decision, effective from Saturday, 31st August 2024, was announced in a circular issued by the university management and signed by the Registrar, G.O. Saliu.
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Reason for the Closure
The shutdown follows a meeting between the university’s management and the leadership of the Students Union.
The meeting was prompted by student protests over the increase in tuition fees.
Break to Facilitate Fee Payment
The three-week break is intended to give students enough time to pay their fees and complete their online registration.
As a result, the first semester examination, originally scheduled to begin on 2nd September, has been postponed to 23rd September 2024.
The registration portal will remain open until Friday, 20th September 2024.
After this date, the portal will close, and no further opportunities for fee payment or course registration will be provided.
Students who fail to register appropriately will be barred from taking their examinations.
All students are required to vacate the university campus by 2:00 PM on Saturday, 31st August 2024.
Solidarity from Other Institutions
The Students Union of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has expressed support for the protesting students of the University of Ibadan.
In a statement released by OAU’s President, Omoboriowo Isaac, and General Secretary, Babatimehin Joy, the union criticized the UI management for failing to uphold promises made to students during earlier negotiations on 17th July.
The OAU Students Union described the new deadline for fee payment as unrealistic and impractical, especially given the current economic hardships faced by many students.
The union also criticized the short timeline for securing NELFUND loans, which the university management had proposed.
Call for Action
The OAU Students Union reiterated that the responsibility of funding education lies with the government.
They called for the funds earmarked for the loan scheme to be invested directly into universities instead.
The union urged the UI management to meet the students’ demands and called on the government to take its role in funding education seriously.
They also appealed to the National Association of Nigerian Students to join the fight for free education.
In their closing remarks, the OAU union encouraged UI students to remain steadfast in their opposition to the current fee regime and other anti-student policies.
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