University of Lagos Student Leaders Deny Agreement with School Authorities Following Tuition Fee Hike

Struggle Continues as Student Representatives Seek Consensus.

Lagos, Nigeria – In the wake of protests sparked by a tuition fee hike implemented by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) management in July, student leaders have refuted claims of reaching an agreement with the school administration regarding the fee adjustments.

Reports circulated earlier that the university management had purportedly slashed the recent tuition fee increment after a meeting with representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Thursday. However, a prominent student leader stated on Friday that no consensus had been reached in the matter.

According to the source, “We have seen news items saying UNILAG Management has reached a ‘consensus’ with students on fees payable. That’s not true. They only met student representatives who are yet to give feedback to their constituents and gather opinions of the people they claim to represent on the suggested fees posed by the Management.”

“There is no agreement. Until there’s a consensus among students, the struggle continues!” the source emphasized.

The tuition fee increase in July triggered widespread protests and demands for a reversal by students who argued that exorbitant fees were rendering education inaccessible to many deserving individuals and imposing a heavy burden on those already enrolled.

Despite adverse weather conditions and reported police presence, aggrieved students staged another protest on Wednesday, reiterating their stance on the fee issue.

However, a statement released by the university authorities on Friday outlined adjustments made following a meeting with executives from NANS and faculty members on Thursday evening. The university authorities announced reductions in various fee categories.

The statement clarified, “Authorities of the University of Lagos led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, on Thursday, September 14, 2023, had a meeting with the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Comrade Usman Umar Barambu accompanied by top officers of the Association and UNILAG Faculty leaders drawn from nine faculties of the University and College of Medicine.”

The consensus reached during the meeting included reductions in utility charges, obligatory fees for new and returning undergraduate students, convocation fees, and hostel fees, aimed at alleviating the financial burden on students.

While the university administration contends that a consensus has been reached, student representatives maintain that further discussions and consensus among students are necessary to bring closure to the ongoing issue. The situation remains fluid as students and university authorities seek common ground in the contentious matter of tuition fees.