BREAKING: UI Students Threaten To Shut Down School Over Fee Hike

University of Ibadan Students Vow to Continue Protests Against Fee Hike

Students of the University of Ibadan (UI) have pledged to continue their protests and shut down the campus following the university management’s decision to implement a fee increase for the 2023/2024 academic session.

Background

On July 16 and 17, the students took to the streets to protest the fee hike, demanding a reversal. Following the demonstrations, the university management promised to review the fees.

After 43 days, the university’s governing council convened on Thursday, August 29, to reassess the fees. Despite the protests, the council maintained that the increase was necessary due to the country’s economic challenges and suggested students apply for student loans. They set September 5 as the deadline for fee payment.

Students’ Response

In response to the governing council’s decision, UI students launched another protest, rejecting the proposed resolutions. The demonstration began at 10 p.m. on Thursday and continued until 2 p.m. on Friday, with students holding placards and chanting solidarity songs to express their demands.

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Following the protest, the students held a congress and resolved to reconvene later with plans to shut down the university if their demands were not met.

Management’s Reaction

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Omobowale, along with other principal officers, met with student representatives, including Student Union President Aweda Bolaji, to discuss the situation.

The meeting began at 3 p.m., with students standing in the rain for three hours before university security escorted the management representatives to the administrative building.

However, efforts by SUG President Aweda to address the students were met with resistance, as the protesters felt he had compromised their position. They claimed Aweda had disregarded the congress’s decision on who should represent the students in the meeting and acted independently while they waited for him at the agreed location.

The frustrated students regrouped at the Student Union Building (SUB) to discuss the management’s options, which included either a three-week deadline extension or leaving campus. However, the students held another congress and unanimously vowed to continue their protests until their demands were met.