School Fees: OAU Students Protest Hike, Close School Gate

On Tuesday, students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife protested the increase in tuition fees announced by the institution management.

The protesting students took to the school gate to express their dissatisfaction with the management's decision. 

Some students expressed their determination to continue protesting until the school authorities reverted to their previous fees, stating that the fee increase lacked empathy.

The students also urged the Federal Government to allocate the funds from subsidy removal towards education instead of allowing an increase in school fees.

The protesting students were calling for a 50% reduction on the original fee and instalment payment activation.

Addressing the students at the campus gate of the university, Kanmi Adewara, Director, ICT, OAU who spoke on behalf of the Vice Chancellor said the instalment payment was not activated earlier because of staff shortage.

He, however, promised that the instalment payment would be activated before the close of work today.

Recall that the management of OAU had announced a reduction of its fees after meeting the representatives of the student Union leaders of the university.

This was revealed to our correspondent in a statement signed by the University Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju.

“In a rare show of administrative magnanimity, the authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, have readjusted downward the sundry charges payable by the students of the University.

“This followed the meeting the University management had with the leadership of the Students Union on Monday, 25th September 2023.

A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that the meeting, which lasted for several hours, was called by the University management, after several agitations by the students union for a reduction of the initial charges approved by the University.

“Although the Students Union leaders were adamant that the charges be reduced by 50%, the University management made it clear that the new charges were the minimum the University required to run efficiently."