By Akinsuroju Abiodun Olubunmi
OAU Students Protest Drastic Tuition Fee Hike. In a surprising turn of events, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), located in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has announced a significant increase in tuition fees for both new and returning students, effective from the 2023–2024 academic session.
According to a press statement issued by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, the new fee structure is designed to ensure equitable fees across the various faculties. New students enrolling in the faculties of arts, law, and humanities will now face a bill of N151,200, while returning students in these faculties will be required to pay N89,200.
Meanwhile, students entering the faculties of pharmacy and the College of Health Sciences will be charged N190,200, with returning students facing a fee of N128,200.
This move follows a national trend, as OAU joins a growing list of federal universities in Nigeria that have implemented similar tuition fee hikes. This news arrives hot on the heels of protests by students at the University of Lagos over tuition increases, and University of Jos students are also voicing their concerns.
In response to the OAU fee hike, students have expressed their dissatisfaction and called on the university’s management to reconsider and potentially reverse the decision. The magnitude of the increase, surpassing 300% in some cases, has elicited strong reactions from students and stakeholders alike.
For instance, fees for freshmen in administration, arts, education, law, and social sciences have surged from N68,700 to N151,200, while returning students now face a fee of N89,200, up from N20,100. Similarly, charges for fresh students in Science/EDM/Edu. Sci/Tech/Agric have risen from N79,700 to N163,200, with returning students seeing an increase from N28,100 to N101,200.
Furthermore, in the faculties of basic medical sciences, clinical sciences, and dentistry, students are required to pay an additional N100,000 as a ‘professional levy,’ as mandated by the College of Health Sciences.
In response to these developments, the OAU Students’ Union leadership convened an emergency stakeholder meeting, which was attended by over 80 student leaders. After extensive deliberations, the following resolutions were reached:
- Advocating for a complete reversal of the approved fee increment by the school management.
- Advising students not to make any payments, even if the payment portal is activated.
- Hosting an open dialogue on Twitter Spaces to allow students and well-wishers to share their perspectives on the situation.
Scheduling a physical congress for today, Thursday, September 14th, to further address the matter Details will be out soon.
The OAU community now awaits further developments as both students and management navigate this contentious issue. The outcome of these deliberations will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the future of education at this esteemed institution.