Students of the University of Ibadan have taken to the streets in protest over a drastic increase in school fees, approved by the institution’s governing council.
The protest, which began on Friday, was sparked by the council’s decision to hike fees by over 100% in some departments.
Students from various faculties expressed their outrage, citing extreme financial burdens. A student from the Department of Human Nutrition revealed that fees had skyrocketed from N58,000 to N138,350, while a student from the Department of Animal Science reported an increase from N70,000 to N150,000.
The students have boycotted classes, vowing to enforce a total shutdown of academic activities until the fees are reduced. Many returning students have yet to pay the new fees, exacerbating the crisis.
Students are demanding a reversal of the fee hike, citing financial hardship and the need for accessible education. The university authorities have yet to respond to the students’ demands, leaving the situation unresolved.