The University of Ibadan (UI) is witnessing renewed protests as students take to the streets over the recent tuition hike announced by the school management.
The peaceful demonstration, which resumed today, is in response to a steep fee increase and a three-week break imposed on students to source the new funds.
On August 31, 2024, UI management issued a memorandum mandating all students to proceed on a break to raise the required fees. With September 20 deadline marking the payment cutoff and the start of the new academic session, students expressed their frustration, carrying placards and chanting slogans. Many claim they are financially stranded, unable to meet the demands of the increased tuition, and say the school administration is showing little concern for their plight.
One protesting student remarked, “The fee hike is unbearable, and the management seems detached from our struggles.” The unnamed protester further criticized the lack of student welfare measures as a growing number of students struggle to adjust to the new financial demands.
The students have vowed to continue their peaceful protest until the fee increment is reversed. They also demanded that the school management address ongoing systemic issues within the institution’s learning environment. The protesters argued that their grievances extend beyond tuition hikes, citing inadequate facilities and irregularities in the academic process.
Moreover, the students firmly rejected the federal government’s student loan policy, claiming it would trap them in lifelong debt. “The loan mechanism isn’t a solution; it’s a ticking time bomb that will ruin our financial futures,” one protester explained, adding that they would not back down until more student-friendly policies were introduced.
The current protest is a continuation of earlier demonstrations that led to the institution being shut down for three weeks. Despite the shutdown and the imposed break, the students remain resolute, insisting that the university’s management must reverse the fee hikes to make education accessible.
The protests have attracted widespread attention, with many stakeholders urging the university to engage in constructive dialogue with the students. As tensions continue to rise, the university’s response in the coming days will be critical in determining the outcome of the standoff.
