Unilorin students resist fees increase

The decision to increase some charges by the management of the University of Ilorin has reportedly generated reactions, mostly disagreement from the students.

President of the Student Union Government, Seyi Animasaun, while confirming the tuition fees increase said the hike will not stand.

“This is rather unexpected, shocking and challenging. This cannot stand. I have called an emergency meeting with all the SUG executives and all faculty presidents and we shall release a comprehensive statement after,” he said.

The increment varies from faculty to faculty, a student who spoke on the condition of anonymity said. Mass Communication students that hitherto paid N10, 700 would now pay N23, 000 while those in the Faculty of Agriculture would pay N40,000 instead of N17,000.

The university’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun who confirmed the hike said “the increment is just marginal with the current economic reality and we are still below other universities.”

He said the management has called a meeting with the students’ union and faculty presidents.

Meanwhile, the SUG has issued a statement asking the students not to pay the new fees.

But the management said in a statement signed by Mr Akogun that “The university in line with Federal Government’s policy, does not charge tuition fees. What we have here is university charges and faculty charges. The items that make up the charges are simply fundamental and basic. For instance, examinations remain sacrosanct, same for provision of state-of-the-art health and library facilities, in addition to stable electricity and uninterrupted water supply.”

The statement said the implication is that what was obtainable about 12 years ago can no longer sustain the university now.

“It is a well-known fact that even if only N1 was added, there will be reaction. The question is how justifiable is the reaction in the face of current realities in providing qualitative university education with needed facilities that guarantee such.

“The University management, ever so responsive, has set in motion a high level negotiation with stakeholders for possible reduction,” the spokesman further said.